Valentina Valentinova Gavazova

Dr. Valentina Valentinova Gavazova


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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Journal Article
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Stela DragomanovaStela Dragomanova
Stela Dragomanova
LTLyubka Tancheva
Lyubka Tancheva
SASilviya Abarova
Silviya Abarova
VGValya B. Grigorova
Valya B. Grigorova
VGValentina Valentinova Gavazova
Valentina Valentinova Gavazova
RKReni Kalfin
Reni Kalfin
Satureja montana (SM) is acknowledged as a highly pharmacologically important species within the vast Lamiaceae family, indigenous to the Balkan area. Traditionally, this plant has been employed as a culinary spice, especially in Bulgarian gastronomy. Additionally, it is widely recognized that mental health is affected by the nature and quality of dietary consumption. Results: Ethnopharmacological research underscores the potential of SM in influencing various chronic ailments, including depression and anxiety. This plant is distinguished by a rich variety of secondary metabolites that display a broad spectrum of biological activities, such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects. Particularly, two of its active phenolic compounds, rosmarinic acid and carvacrol, reveal notable anxiolytic and antidepressive properties. This review aims to explore the capacity of SM to improve mental health through its plentiful phenolic components. Recent studies indicate their efficacy in addressing Alzheimer’s-type dementia. A notable correlation exists among depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline, which includes dementia. Considering that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifaceted condition, it requires multi-targeted therapeutic strategies for both prevention and management. Conclusions: Satureja montana is recognized as potential candidate for both the prevention and management of various mental health disorders, including dementia.

28 September 2025 in Rheumatology (Bulgaria)
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VGValentina Valentinova Gavazova
Valentina Valentinova Gavazova
Затлъстяването е провъзпалително състояние, свързано с повишена тежест на протичане на различни видове възпалителен артрит. Загубата на тегло е свързана с подобрена активност на заболяването при определени форми на възпалителен артрит като ревматоиден артрит и псориатричен артрит. Освен това фундаментални научни експерименти демонстрират независими от теглото противовъзпалителни и имуномодулиращи ефекти на GLP-1 рецепторните агонисти свързани с инхибиране на пътя на NF-kB, подобряване на митохондриалнатадисфункция индуцирана от TNF- α, предотвратяване експресията на NOX-4 и оксидативния стрес, намаляване експресията на проинфламаторни медиатори като IL-6 и IL-1β, намаляване експресията на матриксниметалопротеинази. Като се има впредвидхроничният възпалителен фон, споделен от възпалителните артрити, затлъстяването и ЗД тип 2, е очевидно, че неадекватното поведение на някое от тези състояния може да влоши останалите. Ключови думи: затлъстяване, възпалителниартрити, ревматоиден артрит, псориатриченартрит, захарен диабет тип 2, GLP-1 рецепторни агонисти, TNF-α, оксидативен стрес, провъзпалителни медиатори, матриксниметалопротеинази

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Journal Article
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KNKrastena Nikolova
Krastena Nikolova
IAIvan Antonov
Ivan Antonov
VIViktoria Ilieva
Viktoria Ilieva
VGValentina Valentinova Gavazova
Valentina Valentinova Gavazova
DVDaniela Virovska
Daniela Virovska
SASilviya Abarova
Silviya Abarova
In this study, we investigated the interaction of a dapagliflozin-containing medicinal product (the commercial drug Forxiga®) with human serum albumin (HSA) at different temperatures using steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy, competitive displacement assays, UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, and thermodynamic analysis. Increasing concentrations of Forxiga induced a gradual, concentration-dependent quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA (λex=284 nm; λemmax≈334–339 nm), indicating perturbation of the microenvironment surrounding Trp-214 located in subdomain IIA. Stern–Volmer analysis showed that the quenching constants were temperature-dependent. Meanwhile, the high apparent bimolecular quenching constants suggested a predominantly static quenching mechanism associated with ground-state complex formation. By performing a modified Scatchard-type double-logarithmic analysis, we identified a primary binding site, particularly at lower temperatures. Van’t Hoff analysis revealed negative enthalpy and entropy changes. This indicates that the interaction was spontaneous and exothermic, mainly driven by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces. The competitive displacement assays confirmed preferential binding at Sudlow’s site I, in proximity to Trp-214. Additionally, the UV–Vis spectroscopy, supported by ligand-induced perturbation of aromatic residues, confirmed the absence of significant inner-filter effects. Differential scanning calorimetry suggested partial thermal stabilization of HSA upon ligand binding. This finding is consistent with the formation of a stabilized protein–ligand complex. These results suggest that Forxiga forms a relatively stable ground-state complex with HSA, primarily at Sudlow’s site I, and that the interaction is influenced by temperature-dependent conformational changes in the protein.

19 February 2025 in Preprints.org
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LTLyubka Tancheva
Lyubka Tancheva
Stela DragomanovaStela Dragomanova
Stela Dragomanova
SASilviya Abarova
Silviya Abarova
VGValya B. Grigorova
Valya B. Grigorova
VGValentina Valentinova Gavazova
Valentina Valentinova Gavazova
RKReni Kalfin
Reni Kalfin
Satureja montana (SM) is recognized as one of the most pharmacologically significant members of the extensive Lamiaceae family, native to the Bal-kan region. Historically, this plant has been utilized as a flavorful spice, particularly in traditional Bulgarian cuisine. Furthermore, it is well established that mental health is influenced by the type and quality of dietary intake. Results: Ethnopharmacological studies highlight the potential of SM to affect various chronic conditions, such as depression and anxiety. The plant is characterized by a diverse array of secondary metabolites that exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, antiviral, and an-tifungal properties. Notably, two of its active phenolic compounds, rosmarinic acid and carvacrol, demonstrate significant anxiolytic and anti-depressive effects. This review will examine the potential of SM to enhance mental health through its abundant phenolic constituents. Recent literature suggests their ability in addressing Alzheimer's type dementia. There is a strong correlation between depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline, including dementia. Given that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex disorder, it necessitates multi-targeted therapeutic approaches for both prevention and treatment. Conclusions: SM emerges as a promising candidate for the prevention and management of various mental health disorders, including dementia.