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The ICMR Prize for Biomedical Research for Scientists belonging to
underprivileged communities was instituted by the Council in 1983 for scientists
who have contributed significantly to any field of biomedical sciences and is
granted to scientists belonging to under privileged communities.
The prize for 2011 is being presented to Prof. Anil Kumar, Professor of
Pharmacology, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre
of Advanced Study, Panjab University, Chandigarh for the research work on
'Neuropharmacologial investigation on various neuroprotective mechanisms
for age related problems'.
Prof. Kumar has developed various neuroprotective strategies for age and
related problems particularly, Alzheimer, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's
disease, stroke and post stroke depression, stress complications, and sleep
related problems. Prof. Kumar explained the possible role of oxidative
damage, neuroinflammatory, apoptotic, and mitochondrial dysfunction in
the pathogenesis of these disease conditions. His research work highlights
the potential role of various herbal antioxidants - phytopharmaceuticals-
botanicals, neuroprotectants, and cyclooxygenase inhibitors against these
diseases. Several antioxidants (naringin, carvedilol), cyclooxygenase inhibitors
(resveratrol, nimesulide, naproxen, rofecoxib, celecoxib), and immunophyllines
(FK 506, cyclosporins) and their possible novel mechanisms (GABAergic and
nitric oxide modulation) have been explored.
Prof. Kumar has published more than 90 research papers in national and
international journals. Dr Kumar is a Member of the National Academy of
Medical Sciences, New Delhi, as also a Member of the National Academy of
Sciences, India, Allahabad.