Dr. Muzaffar Abbas

PROFILE SUMMARY

Dr. Abbas completed the PhD degree in Pharmacology under Fulbright Scholarship Program from South Dakota State University, USA, in 2016. He worked at different positions including Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Head of Basic Medical Sciences Department. Dr. Abbas has broad research interests in the areas of neuroscience, molecular pharmacology and neuropharmacology. His specific field of research focuses on drug discovery and development for neurological disorders including depression, memory, anxiety, opioid tolerance, opioid-induced paradoxical pain, addiction, neuropathic and neuroinflammatory pain in laboratory animal models. He has supervised post-graduate research projects. He remained member of Society for Neuroscience (SFN), USA, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET), USA and American Pain Society (APS), USA. He is life time member of The Rho Chi Honor Society, South Dakota State University, USA.

QUALIFICATION
PhD	Pharmacology	Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University, USA	2016
MPhil	Pharmacology	Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan.	2009
B.Pharm	Pharmaceutical Sciences	Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, KPK, Pakistan	2005

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Professor	Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST), Islamabad	Since – 2023
Associate Professor	Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST), Islamabad	2018 – 2023
Assistant Professor	Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad	2017 – 2018
Teaching Assistant	Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University, USA	2012 – 2016
Lecturer	Department of Pharmacy, Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan	2008 – 2012
Lecturer	Gandhara College of Pharmacy, Gandhara University, Peshawar, Pakistan	2008 – 2008

MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
Dean	Faculty of Pharmacy, Capital University of Science & Technology, Islamabad	Since – September 2020
Head of Department	Department of Pharmacy, Capital University of Science & Technology, Islamabad	July 2018 – September 2020
Head of Department	Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad	2017 – 2018
In-charge Post Graduate studies	Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad	2017 – 2018

MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES
Member	Pakistan Society of Basic & Applied Neuroscience (PASBAN)
Member	American association of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Chair	Board of Studies (Pharmacy), Capital University of Science and Technology Islamabad
Member	Board of Faculty (Health and Life Sciences), Capital University of Science and Technology Islamabad
Member	Pakistan Pharmacist Association (PPA)
Member	Academic Council, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad
Member	Board of Studies (Pharmacy), University of the Poonch, Rawalakot, Kashmir
Member	Society for Neuroscience (SFN), USA.
Member	The Rho Chi Honor Society, South Dakota State University, USA
Member	American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET), USA.
Member	American Pain Society (APS), USA
Member	American Academy of Pain Management, USA
Member	Member of Fulbright panel for PhD studies

HONORS & AWARDS
1.	Fulbright Scholarship for PhD studies
2.	Young Investigator Travel Award, 2016 from American Pain Society. USA.
3.	First Place Award in 2015 for Graduate Student Senior Category at the 25th Annual Pharmacy Research Presentations at South Dakota State University, USA
4.	Vice Chair of the student chapter of American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences at South Dakota State University; USA (2014-2015).

RESEARCH AREAS / INTERESTS

Drug discovery;
Neurological Disorders;
Anxiety;
Opioid Tolerance;
Neuropathic;
Neuroinflammatory pain in animal models involving Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors;
Opioid receptors;
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs).

RESEARCH SUPERVISION
1.	PhD	Synthesis, Characterization, In silico and Pharmacological Investigation of New Benzimidazole Derivatives against Neurodegenerative diseases
2.	PhD	Pharmacological Studies and Herbal Drug Development of Saussurea lappa, Saussurea heteromalla and Related Species.
3.	MPhil	Synthesis, Characterization and Pharmacological Evaluation of 5-Substituted Isoxazole-3-Carboxamides
4.	MPhil	Studies on Neuropharmacological Effects of methoxy benzylidine cyclopentanone
5.	MPhil	Hepatoprotective Effect of Ginkgo Biloba Extract against Methotrexate Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats
6.	MPhil	Synthesis, Pharmacological Investigation and Molecular Docking Studies of 4-Thiazolidinone Derivatives
7.	MPhil	Neuropharmacological Investigation of Telmisartan against Opioid Dependence and its Correlation in Mesolimbic System
8.	MPhil	Pharmacological Investigation of Benzimidazole Derivatives against Opioid-Induced Paradoxical Pain in Animal Models
9.	MPhil	Neuropharmacological effects of 2-[(Pyrrolidin-1-yl)Methyl]-1H-Benzimidazole against Opioid Tolerance during Anticancer-Induced Neuropathic Pain

BOOK CHAPTERS AUTHORED
1.	U. Kanwala, A, Raza, M. Abbas, N. Abbas, K. Hussain, N, I. Bukharia. Nanomedicine-based doxorubicin delivery for skin cancer with theranostic potential. Advanced Drug Delivery Systems in the Management of Cancer. Science Direct, 2021, Pages 207-215.

JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
1.	S. Alzarea, M. Abbas, P. J. Ronan, K. Lutfy, and S. Rahman, “The Effect of an α-7 Nicotinic Allosteric Modulator PNU120596 and NMDA Receptor Antagonist Memantine on Depressive-like Behavior Induced by LPS in Mice: The Involvement of Brain Microglia” Brain Sciences, vol.12, no.11, 1493, 2022.
2.	H. Hussain, L. Rashan, U. Hassan, M. Abbas, F. L. Hakkim and I. R. Green, “Frankincense diterpenes as a bio-source for drug discovery”. Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery, vol. 17, no.5, pp. 513-529, 2022.
3.	S. Qureshi, G. Ali1, M. Idrees, T. Muhammad, I. Kong, M. Abbas, M. I. A. Shah, S. Ahmad, R. D. E. Sewell and S. Ullah “Selected thiadiazine-thione derivatives attenuate neuroinflammation in chronic constriction injury induced neuropathy”. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, vol. 14, 2021.
4.	M. T. Khan, H. Nadeem, A. S. Sheikh, N. S. Malik, M. Rizwan, M. Imran, I. Javed, M. U. Munir, A. Khan, A. Syed and M. Abbas, “Amino acid derivatives of 2-Mercaptobenzimidazoles suppress cytokines at the site of inflammation and block gastric H+/K+ATPase”. Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 1157-1163, 2021.
5.	M. Abbas, S. Alzarea, R. L. Papke, and S. Rahman, “Effects of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulator on BDNF, NKCC1 and KCC2 Expression in the Hippocampus following Lipopolysaccharide-induced Allodynia and Hyperalgesia in a Mouse Model of Inflammatory Pain”. CNS & Neurological Disorders-Drug Targets, 2020 (ahead of print).
6.	Z. Malik, M. Abbas, L. T. Al Kury, F. A. Shah, M. Alam, A. Khan, H. Nadeem, S. Alghamdi, M. U. K. Sahibzada, S. Li. “Thiazolidine derivatives attenuate carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain in mice”. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, vol. 15, pp. 369–384, 2021.
7.	S. Akhtar, M Abbas, K. Naeem, M. Faheem, H. Nadeem, A. Mehmood. “Benzimidazole Derivative Ameliorates Opioid-mediated Tolerance during Anticancer-Induced Neuropathic Pain in mice”. Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 365-371 2021.
8.	N. Rehman, M. Rashida, A. Tokhi, Z. Ahmed, F. Subhan, M. Abbas, M. A. Arshid, and K. Rauf, “Analgesic and Antiallodynic Effects of 4-FluoroN-(4-Sulfamoylbenzyl) Benzene Sulfonamide in a Murine Model of Pain”. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, vol. 14, pp. 4511–4518. 2020.
9.	N. Rehman, K. Esmaeilpour, S. Joushi, M. Abbas, M. Rashida e, K. Rauf, and Y. Masoumi-Ardakani, Effect of 4-Fluoro-N-(4-sulfamoylbenzyl) Benzene Sulfonamide on cognitive deficits and hippocampal plasticity during nicotine withdrawal in rats. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, vol. 131, pp. 110783. 2020.
10.	M. T. Khan, H. Nadeem, A. Khan, M. Abbas, M. Arif, N. S. Malik, Z. Malik, and I. Javed, “Amino acid conjugates of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole provide better anti-inflammatory pharmacology and improved toxicity profile”. Drug Development Research, pp. 1–16, 2020.
11.	N. Rehman, M. Abbas, M. Rashida, A. Tokhi, M. A. Arshid, M. S. Khan, I. Ahmad, and K. Rauf, “Effect of 4-Fluoro-N-(4-Sulfamoylbenzyl) Benzene Sulfonamide on Acquisition and Expression of Nicotine-Induced Behavioral Sensitization and Striatal Adenosine Levels”. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, vol. 14, pp. 3777–3786.2020.
12.	M. S. Khan, W. Trenet, N. Xing, B. Sibley, M. Abbas, M. al-Rashida, K. Rauf and C. D. “Mandyam. “A Novel Sulfonamide, 4-FS, Reduces Ethanol Drinking and Physical Withdrawal Associated With Ethanol Dependence”, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 21, no. 4411, 2020.
13.	M. Imran, L. T. Al Kury, H. Nadeem, F. A. Shah, M. Abbas, S. Naz, A. Khan and S. Li, “Benzimidazole Containing Acetamide Derivatives Attenuate Neuroinﬂammation and Oxidative Stress in Ethanol-Induced Neurodegeneration”, Biomolecules, vol. 10, no. 108, 2020.
14.	M. Abbas, S. Alzarea, R. L. Papke, and S. Rahman, “The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced allodynia, hyperalgesia and TNF-alpha in the hippocampus in mice”, Pharmacological Reports, vol. 71, no. 6, pp.1168-1176, 2019.
15.	F. A. Shah, G. Liu, L. T. Al Kury, A. Zeb, P.O. Koh, M. Abbas, T. Li, X. Yang, F. Liu, Y. Jiang, and S. Li, “Melatonin Protects MCAO-Induced Neuronal Loss via NR2A Mediated Prosurvival Pathways”, Frontiers in Pharmacology, vol.10, pp.1-11, 2019.
16.	Z. Idris, M. Abbas, H. Nadeem and A. Khan, “The benzimidazole derivatives, B1 (N-[(1H-Benzimidazol-2-yl)methyl]-4-methoxyaniline) and B8 (N-{4-[(1H-Benzimidazol-2-yl)methoxy]phenyl}acetamide) attenuate morphine-induced paradoxical pain in mice”, Frontiers in Neuroscience, vol. 13, pp. 1-9, 2019.
17.	H. Bibi, H. Nadeem, M. Abbas and M. Arif, “Synthesis and anti-nociceptive potential of isoxazole carboxamide derivatives”, BMC Chemistry, vol. 13, no. 6, pp.1-13, 2019.
18.	T. Ahmed, A. Khan, M. Abbas, E. R. Filho, Z. Din and A. Khan, “Synthesis, characterization, molecular docking, analgesic, antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects of dibenzylidene ketone derivatives”, Chemistry Central Journal, vol. 12, no. 134, 2018.
19.	M. Abbas, S. Alzarea, R. L. Papke, and S. Rahman, “The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of hippocampal IκB and CD11b gene expression in mice”, Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 206-211, 2017.
20.	N. Islam, M. Abbas, and S. Rahman, “Neuropathic Pain and Lung Delivery of Nanoparticulate Drugs: An Emerging Novel Therapeutic Strategy”. CNS & Neurological Disorders-Drug Targets, vol. 16, pp. 303-310. 2017.
21.	M. Abbas, and S. Rahman, “Effects of alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator on lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammatory pain in mic”, European Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 783, pp. 85-91, 2016.
22.	G. Ali, F. Subhan, M. Abbas, J. Zeb, M. Shahid, and R. D. E. Sewell, “A streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathic pain model for static or dynamic mechanical allodynia and vulvodynia: validation using topical and systemic gabapentin”. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology, vol. 388, no. 11, pp. 1129-1140, 2015.
23.	M. Khan, F Subhan, A. Khan, M. Abbas, G. Ali, Khalid Rauf, and A. H. Gilani, “Nature cures nature: Hypericum perforatum attenuates physical withdrawal signs in opium dependent rats”, Pharmaceutical Biology, vol. 52, pp. 586-590. 2014.
24.	K. Rauf, F. Subhan, M. Abbas, S. M. Ali, G. Ali, M. Ashfaq, and G. Abbas, “Inhibitory effect of bacopasides on spontaneous morphine withdrawal induced depression in mice”, Phytotherapy Research, vol. 28, pp. 937-939, 2014.
25.	G. Ali, F. Subhan, N. Islam, I. Khan, K. Rauf, S. Ullah, M. Abbas, and A. Rauf, Input of Isosteric and Bioisosteric Approach in Drug Design. Journal of the Chemical Society of Pakistan, vol. 36, pp. 150-169, 2014.
26.	H. Khan, M. Saeed, A. H.Gilani, H. M. Mehmood, N. U. Rehman, N. Muhammad, M. Abbas, and I. Haq, “Bronchodilator activity of aerial parts of Polygonatum verticillatum augmented by anti-inflammatory activity: attenuation of Ca²⁺ channels and lipoxygenase”, Phytotherapy Research, vol. 27, no. 9, pp. 1288-1292, 2013.
27.	M. Abbas, F. Subhan, K. Rauf, I. Haq, and S. N. Mohani, “The involvement of Non Opioidergic Mechanism in the Antinociceptive and Antilocomotive Activity of Bacopa monnieri” Iranian Journal of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 15-19, 2012
28.	K. Rauf, F. Subhan, M. Abbas, I. Haq, G. Ali, and M. Ayaz, “Effect of acute and sub chronic use of Bacopa monnieri on dopamine and serotonin turnover in mice whole brain” African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Vol. 6, pp. 2767-2774, 2012.
29.	M. Ismail, S. Rahman, A. zada, Roohullah, N. Muhammad, and M. Abbas, “Analgesic, anti GIT motility and toxicological activities of Pistaciai ntegerrima Stewart ex Brandis bark in mice”, Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, Vol. 6, no. 14, pp. 2827-2831, 2012.
30.	K. Rauf, F. Subhan, M. Abbas, A. Badshah, I. Ullah, and S. Ullah, “Effect of bacopasides on acquisition and expression of morphine tolerance’, Phytomedicine. vol. 18, pp. 836-842. 2011.
31.	M. Abbas, F. Subhan, K. Rauf, M. Khan, and S. N. Mohani. “The involvement of biogenic amines in the antidepressant effect of Bacopa monnieri”, PharmacologyOnline, vol. 1, pp. 112-123, 2011.
32.	M. Abbas, F. Subhan, S. N. Mohani, K. Rauf, G. Ali, and M. Khan, “The involvement of opioidergic mechanisms in the activity of Bacopa monnieri extract and its toxicological studies”, African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, vol. 5, pp. 1120-1124. 2011.
33.	S. Rahman, M. Ismail, M. Abbas, and N. Muhammad, “Study of antipyretic activity of Pistacia integerrima Stewart ex Brandis bark in Balb-C mice” Journal of Pharmacy Research, vol. 4, no. 12, pp. 4411-4412, 2011.
34.	F. Subhan, M. Abbas, K. Rauf, and A. Baseer, “Anti GIT motility, toxicological and phytochemical studies on Bacopa monnieri”, PharmacologyOnline, vol. 3, pp. 907-950. 2010.
35.	F. Subhan, M. Abbas, K. Rauf, M. Arfan, R. D. E. Sewell, and G. Ali, “The role of opioidergic mechanism in the activity of Bacopa monnieri extract against tonic and acute phasic pain modalities”, PharmacologyOnline, vol. 3, pp. 903-914, 2010.

CONFERENCE PUBLICATIONS
1.	S. Rahman, and M. Abbas, “Effects of α7 nicotinic receptor positive allosteric modulator on sodium-potassium-chloride co-transporter 1 activation following lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammatory pain in mice”, The FASEB Journal. Vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 812.2, 2017.
2.	M. Abbas, and S. Rahman, “Brain alpha-7 nicotinic receptor positive allosteric modulator attenuates mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia in a mouse model of neuroinflammatory pain” The Journal of Pain. Vol. 17, no. 4, pp. S75, 2016.
3.	M. Abbas, and S. Rahman, “Antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic effects of 3a,4,5,9b-Tetrahydro-4-(1-naphthalenyl)-3H-cyclopentan[c] quinoline-8 sulfonamide in an animal model of neuroinflammatory pain” The FASEB Journal. Vol. 30, pp. 927.1., 2016.
4.	M. Abbas, and S. Rahman, “Effects of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator on microglia activation following lipopolysaccharide-induced neuropathic pain” The FASEB Journal, vol. 29, pp. 770.14, 2015.
5.	Shafiqur Rahman, Muzaffar Abbas. Effects of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator in a neuropathic pain model. The FASEB Journal. (2014), 28, 661.10.

POSTER PRESENTATIONS
1.	M. Abbas, S. Rahman. Effects of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator on microglia BDNF expression following LPS-induced neuropathic pain in mice (Annual meeting of Society for Neuroscience, Chicago, Illinois, USA, October, 2015).
2.	M. Abbas, S. Rahman. Effects of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator on microglia activation following lipopolysaccharide-induced neuropathic pain. (Experimental Biology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, March, 2015).
3.	M. Abbas, S. Rahman. Effects of alpha-7 nicotinic positive allosteric modulator on mechanical allodynia and TNF-alpha following LPS-induced neuroinflammatory pain in mice (Annual meeting of Society for Neuroscience, Washington, D.C., November, 2014).
4.	M. Abbas, S. Rahman.. Effects of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator in a neuropathic pain model (Experimental Biology, San Diego, California, April, 2014).
5.	M. Abbas, S. Rahman. The Alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulator Prevents Lipopolysaccharide-induced Inflammatory Behavior and Cytokine Expression in Mice (Annual meeting of Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, California, November, 2013).
6.	S. Rahman, M. Abbas, Effects of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator in a neuropathic pain model, The FASEB Journal, (2014), 28, 661.10.
7.	M. Abbas, S. Rahman. Effects of alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator on proinflammatory cytokine expression and norepinephrine release following lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammatory pain in mice (Annual meeting of Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, California, USA, November, 2016).
8.	M. Abbas, S. Rahman. Brain alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator attenuates mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia in a mouse model of neuroinflammatory pain (35th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society, Austin, Texas, USA, May, 2016).
9.	M. Abbas, S. Rahman. Antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic effects of 3a,4,5,9b-Tetrahydro-4-(1-naphthalenyl)-3H-cyclopentan[c] quinoline-8-sulfonamide in an animal model of neuroinflammatory pain (Experimental Biology, San Diego, California, USA, April, 2016).

Our Team

PROFILE SUMMARY

RESEARCH AREAS / INTERESTS

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