Pharmacology and Pathohistology

Laboratory of Pharmacology and Histopathology

Head of Laboratory:
Hrachik Vahram Gasparyan
PhD; senior researcher
E-mail: hrachikgasparyan@mail.ru
Tel. mobile: (+374 93) 71-50-90
ORCID: 0000-0002-8555-3733

History of the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Histopathology

The laboratory was established in 1967 under the name “Laboratory of Adrenergic Mechanisms”. The head of the laboratory until his last days of life was MD, PhD Hovhannes M. Avakyan.

Under his supervision, the pharmacological regulation of the parasympathetic nervous system was studied for the first time. The relationship between the structure and anticholinergic and antiarrhythmic effects of a large number of chemicals was investigated, particularly the mechanisms of release, reception and uptake of norepinephrine. In 1985, a screening method of a new class of adrenergic drugs, α-2 adrenergic blockers, was developed and introduced.

Since 1986 until his last days, PhD E. A. Shirinyan headed the Laboratory of Adrenergic Mechanisms. In 1988, the laboratory was renamed “Laboratory of Pharmacology of Cardiovascular Drugs.”

Since 2013, the laboratory has been headed by PhD Hrachik V. Gasparyan.

With the regrouping of research and the introduction of new directions, the laboratory was renamed the “Laboratory of Pharmacology and Histopathology”.

Currently, the laboratory conducts screening of new active chemical compounds and fundamental biomedical research. It consists of the following scientific groups that carry out research in the indicated directions.

Current Activities

The laboratory employs 18 highly qualified staff members and 1 student who study various biomedical properties of newly synthesized compounds.

1. Histopathology Research Group
2. Search and study of burn-healing agents.
3. Search and study of new hepatoprotectors for the prevention and treatment of liver cirrhosis.
4. Study of local tissue-irritating properties of new drugs.
5. Study of local anesthetic properties of new drugs.
6. Pathomorphological and histochemical studies.
7. Teratological and embryotoxic studies of new drugs.
8. Search and study of new anti-neurodegenerative compounds.

1. Cytological and Biochemistry Research Group
2. Studies of the effects of new active chemical compounds on various cell cultures under in vitro conditions.
3. Study of the cytotoxic properties of active compounds.
4. Study of the influence of new chemical compounds on MAO activity in vivo and in vitro.
5. Study of electrophoretic indices of serum proteins to evaluate therapeutic properties.

At present, under the supervision of Corresponding Member of NAS RA Prof. V. O. Topuzyan and Head of Laboratory PhD H. V. Gasparyan, a new burn-healing ointment with the provisional name “Dermafen” has been developed and is in the stage of clinical trials.

Developed and in the stage of preclinical studies:
– A new anti-neurodegenerative compound (TVS) for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
– Study of the therapeutic properties of a new active herbal drug (Silymarin/Flamin) for the prevention and treatment of liver cirrhosis.

1. Pharmacological Group for the Study of Adrenergic Mechanisms

• Cardiovascular system studies
• Studies of adrenolytic and sympatholytic systems
• Studies of antihypoxic properties, etc.

1. Group of Studies of Anticonvulsant and Psychotropic Compounds
2. The anticonvulsant effect of synthesized compounds is initially studied in two screening models of convulsive states: the maximum electric shock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) seizures.
3. Sedative, activating and anxiolytic effects of selected compounds are studied in rats using a modified “open-field” model of motor-exploratory behavior.
4. Forced swimming test in mice (Porsolt et al.).
5. Elevated plus maze (EPM).

1. Pharmacognosy and Experimental Physiology Research Group
2. Phytochemical studies: analysis of the chemical composition of plant materials, isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds.
3. Experimental evaluation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and antibacterial activities of natural and synthetic compounds in in vitro and in vivo models.
4. Experimental physiology: investigation of functional, biochemical and morphological changes in the organism under the influence of different factors.