Waththage Lakshika Rangi Keerthirathna

Ms. Waththage Lakshika Rangi Keerthirathna


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

8Years (2019-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
21 January 2020 in Biomolecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Saumya HeendeniyaSaumya Heendeniya
Saumya Heendeniya
WKWaththage Lakshika Rangi Keerthirathna
Waththage Lakshika Rangi Keerthirathna
CMChamalika Kanthini Manawadu
Chamalika Kanthini Manawadu
IDIndeewarie Hemamali Dissanayake
Indeewarie Hemamali Dissanayake
Rizwan AliRizwan Ali
Rizwan Ali
DDinithi Piers
Dinithi Piers
Although the antidiabetic efficacy of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis flowers has been reported, antiproliferative and anti-obesity activities are yet to be explored. We examined the anti-obesity and antiproliferative potentials of different fractions (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol) of N. abor-tristis flower extract for the first time using 3T3-L1 cells, primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from healthy and adult acute myeloid (AML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients, recombinant Jurkat T cells, and MCF7 cell lines. The in vitro hypoglycemic activity was evaluated using the inhibition of α-amylase enzyme and glucose uptake by yeast cells. The percentage glucose uptake and α-amylase inhibitory activity increased in a dose-dependent manner in the crude and the tested fractions (hexane and ethyl acetate). Inhibition of the 3T3-L1 cells’ differentiation was observed in the ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions, followed by the hexane fraction. Antiproliferative analyses revealed that Nyctanthes exerted a high specific activity against anti-AML and anti-CLL PBMC cells, especially by the hexane and ethyl acetate fractions. The gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis indicated the presence of 1-heptacosanol (hexane fraction), 1-octadecene (hexane and chloroform fractions), and other organic compounds. Molecular docking demonstrated that phenol,2,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) and 4-hydroxypyridine 1-oxide compounds showed specificity toward survivin protein, indicating the feasibility of N. abor-tristis in developing new drug leads against leukemia.

1 January 2019 in Gender and the Genome
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
DDD. M. I. H. Dissanayake
D. M. I. H. Dissanayake
WKWaththage Lakshika Rangi Keerthirathna
Waththage Lakshika Rangi Keerthirathna
DDinithi Piers
Dinithi Piers
Semen quality plays a pivotal role in maintaining healthy fertilizing ability of spermatozoa. Male infertility is a rising global problem with an increasing declining in male semen quality among men living in Africa, Europe, North American, and Asia. Though the sperm acquire proactive mechanisms during spermatogenesis and their epididymal maturation, they still remain viable for toxic insult. Declining semen quality is a major contributor to infertility. Studies have postulated that different factors, such as exposure to pesticides, industrial chemicals, heavy metals, obesity, alcoholism, tobacco smoking, sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrient intake, oxidative stress, physiological factors, genetic factors can influence male fertility. Routine semen analysis and assays for sperm chromatin integrity are the most widely utilized and best studied adjunctive diagnostics in male infertility. Over the years, scientists have developed different treatment options for male infertility. Male infertility with known etiology can be treated successfully, but other causes like genetic factors require pragmatic approaches. This article summarizes protective mechanisms of spermatogenesis, causes, diagnosis, and both modern and traditional treatment approaches of male infertility. Further, this article highlights present issues and direction for future exploration of the male infertility problem.

7 March 2020 in Biology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
EKEnoka P. Kudavidanage
Enoka P. Kudavidanage
DDD. M. I. Dissanayake
D. M. I. Dissanayake
WKWaththage Lakshika Rangi Keerthirathna
Waththage Lakshika Rangi Keerthirathna
NNN. Lasni Wathima Nishshanke
N. Lasni Wathima Nishshanke
DDinithi Piers
Dinithi Piers
Pesticides are known to result in toxic insult. We aimed to evaluate Judo 40, the commercial formulation of chlorpyrifos on the neurological activities, fertility, and hormone levels of male rats. Male Wistar rats were treated orally with 1 mL of 20 or 50 mg/kg Judo 40. The doses were administered four times, twice a day. Sexual and exploratory behavior indices, fertility indices, serum androgen levels, blood acetylcholinesterase (BChE) levels, and neurological and muscular effects were evaluated. Serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone were significantly reduced in the rats receiving 50 mg/kg Judo 40. A reduction in viable implantation sites and live pups born were evident in the female rats mated with the male rats treated with the highest dose. Similarly, in the rats treated with the highest dose of Judo 40, a significant reduction in plasma BChE enzyme was observed. According to the results, prolonged Judo 40 exposure can cause impairment of the neurological alterations and sex hormones leading to impaired fertility. Therefore, chemical handlers should be educated on protection and risk minimization.

21 July 2025 in Biology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
WKWaththage Lakshika Rangi Keerthirathna
Waththage Lakshika Rangi Keerthirathna
SSSachini Tharushika Sigera
Sachini Tharushika Sigera
MRMilan Rathnayake
Milan Rathnayake
ASArunoda Udari Senarathne
Arunoda Udari Senarathne
HUHiruni Udeshika
Hiruni Udeshika
DDinithi Piers
Dinithi Piers
Marine algae offer environmentally friendly platforms for green nanoparticle synthesis. This study reports the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using polysaccharides isolated from the brown alga Chnoospora minima (PAgNPs) and evaluates their therapeutic potential. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed algal polysaccharide functional groups. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis characterized the nanoparticles as spherical (~84 nm average size), stable (zeta potential −18.5 mV), and containing elemental silver without nitrogen. The PAgNPs exhibited potent antioxidant activity (~100% DPPH scavenging) and significant antimicrobial efficacy, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida species. Crucially, PAgNPs displayed potent antiproliferative activity against human lung cancer cells (A549, IC50: 13.59 µg/mL). In contrast, toxicity to normal Vero cells was significantly lower (IC50: 300.2 µg/mL), demonstrating notable cancer cell selectivity (SI 22.1). Moderate activity was observed against MCF-7 breast cancer cells (IC50: 100.7 µg/mL). These results demonstrate that C. minima polysaccharide facilitates the synthesis of biocompatible AgNPs with promising antimicrobial and selective anticancer capabilities, highlighting their potential for further development as nanotherapeutics.