Prof. Stela Dragomanova
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
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Academic Career Length
11Years (2016-Present)
(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)
Representative Publications
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Journal Article
LTLyubka Tancheva
Lyubka Tancheva
Maria LazarovaAAAlbena Alexandrova
Albena AlexandrovaStela Dragomanova
Ferdinando Nicoletti
Atanas G. Atanasov +6
We compared the neuroprotective action of three natural bio-antioxidants (AOs): ellagic acid (EA), α-lipoic acid (LA), and myrtenal (Myrt) in an experimental model of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that was induced in male Wistar rats through an intrastriatal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). The animals were divided into five groups: the sham-operated (SO) control group; striatal 6-OHDA-lesioned control group; and three groups of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats pre-treated for five days with EA, LA, and Myrt (50 mg/kg; intraperitoneally- i.p.), respectively. On the 2nd and the 3rd week post lesion, the animals were subjected to several behavioral tests: apomorphine-induced rotation; rotarod; and the passive avoidance test. Biochemical evaluation included assessment of main oxidative stress parameters as well as dopamine (DA) levels in brain homogenates. The results showed that all three test compounds improved learning and memory performance as well as neuromuscular coordination. Biochemical assays showed that all three compounds substantially decreased lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, and restored catalase (CAT) activity and DA levels that were impaired by the challenge with 6-OHDA. Based on these results, we can conclude that the studied AOs demonstrate properties that are consistent with significant antiparkinsonian effects. The most powerful neuroprotective effect was observed with Myrt, and this work represents the first demonstration of its anti-Parkinsonian impact.
Journal Article
RARalitza Alexova
Ralitza Alexova
Simona AleksandrovaStela DragomanovaRKReni Kalfin
Reni KalfinASAyten Solak
Ayten SolakLTLyubka Tancheva
Lyubka Tancheva +5
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a rich source of polyphenols, including ellagitannins and ellagic acid. The plant is used in traditional medicine, and its purified components can provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity and support of host defenses during viral infection and recovery from disease. Current data show that pomegranate polyphenol extract and its ellagitannin components and metabolites exert their beneficial effects by controlling immune cell infiltration, regulating the cytokine secretion and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species production, and by modulating the activity of the NFκB pathway. In vitro, pomegranate extracts and ellagitannins interact with and inhibit the infectivity of a range of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. In silico docking studies show that ellagitannins bind to several SARS-CoV-2 and human proteins, including a number of proteases. This warrants further exploration of polyphenol–viral and polyphenol–host interactions in in vitro and in vivo studies. Pomegranate extracts, ellagitannins and ellagic acid are promising agents to target the SARS-CoV-2 virus and to restrict the host inflammatory response to viral infections, as well as to supplement the depleted host antioxidant levels during the stage of recovery from COVID-19.
Journal Article
LTLyubka Tancheva
Lyubka TanchevaMPMaria Cristina Petralia
Maria Cristina PetraliaSimona AleksandrovaStela DragomanovaASAyten Solak
Ayten SolakFerdinando Nicoletti +6
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, first reported in December 2019 in China, is the causative agent of the current COVID-19 pandemic that, at the time of writing (1 November 2020) has infected almost 43 million people and caused the death of more than 1 million people. The spectrum of clinical manifestations observed during COVID-19 infection varies from asymptomatic to critical life-threatening clinical conditions. Emerging evidence shows that COVID-19 affects far more organs than just the respiratory system, including the heart, kidneys, blood vessels, liver, as well as the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). It is also becoming clear that the neurological and psychological disturbances that occur during the acute phase of the infection may persist well beyond the recovery. The aim of this review is to propel further this emerging and relevant field of research related to the pathophysiology of neurological manifestation of COVID-19 infection (Neuro-COVID). We will summarize the PNS and CNS symptoms experienced by people with COVID-19 both during infection and in the recovery phase. Diagnostic and pharmacological findings in this field of study are strongly warranted to address the neurological and psychological symptoms of COVID-19.
Journal Article
Stela DragomanovaSimona AleksandrovaFerdinando NicolettiKMKatia Mangano
Katia Mangano
Paolo FagoneLTLyubka Tancheva
Lyubka Tancheva +2
Oxidative stress (OS), resulting from a disrupted balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protective antioxidants, is thought to play an important pathogenetic role in several diseases, including viral infections. Alpha-lipoic acid (LA) is one of the most-studied and used natural compounds, as it is endowed with a well-defined antioxidant and immunomodulatory profile. Owing to these properties, LA has been tested in several chronic immunoinflammatory conditions, such as diabetic neuropathy and metabolic syndrome. In addition, a pharmacological antiviral profile of LA is emerging, that has attracted attention on the possible use of this compound for the cotreatment of several viral infections. Here, we will review the emerging literature on the potential use of LA in viral infections, including COVID-19.
Journal Article
Simona AleksandrovaRARalitza Alexova
Ralitza AlexovaStela DragomanovaRKReni Kalfin
Reni KalfinFerdinando NicolettiLTLyubka Tancheva
Lyubka Tancheva +3
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a polyphenol-rich food and medicinal plant containing flavonols, anthocyanins, and tannins. Ellagitannins (ETs) are the most abundant polyphenols in pomegranate. A growing body of research shows that polyphenol-rich pomegranate extracts and their metabolites target multiple types of brain cell and support their redox balance, proliferation and survival, as well as cell signaling. Independent studies have demonstrated that the significant neuroprotective effects of ETs are mediated by their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, their chelating properties, by their ability to activate various signaling pathways, as well as the ability to influence mitochondrial damage, thus regulating autophagy, apoptosis and neurotransmitter signaling. The multitude of in vitro and in vivo studies summarized in the present review suggest that pomegranate polyphenols act on both neuronal and glial cells directly, and also affect blood–brain barrier function, restoring redox balance in the blood and brain and increasing blood flow to the brain.
Journal Article
BSBorislav Sevriev
Borislav SevrievSDSimeonka Dimitrova Dimitrova
Simeonka Dimitrova DimitrovaGKGabriela Kehayova
Gabriela KehayovaStela DragomanovaTrehalose is a naturally occurring disaccharide that has recently gained significant attention for its neuroprotective properties in various models of neurodegeneration. This review provides an overview of available experimental data on the beneficial properties of trehalose for central nervous system pathological conditions. Trehalose’s impact on neuronal cell survival and function was also examined. As a result, we identified that trehalose’s neuroprotection includes autophagy modulation as well as its capability to stabilize proteins and inhibit the formation of misfolded ones. Moreover, trehalose mitigates oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage by stabilizing cellular membranes and modulating mitochondrial function. Furthermore, trehalose attenuates excitotoxicity-induced neuroinflammation by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine release and inhibiting inflammasome activation. A possible connection of trehalose with the gut–brain axis was also examined. These findings highlight the potential therapeutic effects of trehalose in neurodegenerative diseases. According to the conclusions drawn from this study, trehalose is a promising neuroprotective agent as a result of its distinct mechanism of action, which makes this compound a candidate for further research and the development of therapeutic strategies to combat neuronal damage and promote neuroprotection in various neurological diseases.
About Me
Stela Dragomanova obtained her master’s degree in Pharmacy at the Medical University of Sofia in 2004, after which she graduated in specialty “Clinical pharmacy”. She got her Ph.D. degree in Pharmacology in the Institute of Neurobiology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in 2020. Her research field is mainly focused on neuropharmacology, mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative diseases, natural products research, neuroprotection, dementia treatment and prevention. Main scientific skills: pharmacology, experimental pharmacology, drug toxicology, in vivo preclinical animal models, behavioral tests.
Dr. Dragomanova is a member of the Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union, a Chairlady of Ethics Committee of Regional Pharmaceutical Collegium - Varna, Member of the Management board of the Bulgarian Association of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and a member of the Bulgarian Scientific Society of Pharmacy. She was awarded as the Pharmacist of the year for Varna region (Regional Pharmaceutical Collegium) in 2018.
She is a member of the reviewer board of Pharmaceuticals, a reviewer of 5+ international peer-reviewed scientific journals. S. Dragomanova has 31 publications in Web of Science, 195 citations and an h-index of 10. Her article "Meroterpenoids from Terrestrial and Marine Fungi: Promising Agents for Neurodegenerative Diseases - An Updated Review,"has been chosen as the "Cover story"for the February edition of Current Issues of Molecular Biology in 2025.