Dr. Ara Kirakosyan - NMU Chemistry

Office: 2807 WEST
Phone: (906) 227 - 1170
Email: akirakos@nmu.edu

D.Sc. Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia

Ph.D. Biophysics, Yerevan State University

M.Sc. Biophysics, Yerevan State University

Department of Pharmacognosy, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Japan

(Prof. Kenichiro Inoue).

Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) Gatersleben, Germany

(Prof. Dr. Uwe Sonnewald).

Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

(Prof. Peter B. Kaufman)

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6269-9801
• https://www.semanticscholar.org/author/Ara-Kirakosyan/114873680

The research deals with natural products of medicinal value that linked the activity of single and interacting low molecular weight compounds isolated from medicinal plants. Over the years, my research has expanded to bridge the perceived gap between synergistic or antagonistic effects of biologically active constituents. My funded projects address this goal through an understanding of molecular mechanisms of such interactions in order to shed light on how these bioactive compounds act at target sites.

Our group investigates the effect of several bioactive compounds on models of chronic cardiovascular disease, and on the pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia, obesity, and Type II diabetes. In addition, we are examining the impact of complex phytochemicals from several medicinal plants on inflammation and oxidative stress in an IRB-approved clinical trials.

1. E. Gutierrez, A. Kirakosyan, S. Bolling, A. García-Villaraco, F. Gutiérrez-Mañero, B. Ramos-Solano (2019). Biotic elicitation as a tool to improve berry (Strawberry and Raspberry) extract potential on metabolic syndrome related enzymes in vitro. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 99(6):2939-2946
2. A. Kirakosyan, E.M. Seymour, N. Kondoleon, E. Gutierrez, J. Wolforth, S.F. Bolling (2018). The intake of red raspberry fruit is inversely related to cardiac risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. Journal of Functional Foods, 41: 83-89.
3. A. Kirakosyan, E. Gutierrez, B. Ramos Solano, E.M. Seymour, S.F. Bolling (2018). The inhibitory potential of Montmorency tart cherry on key enzymes relevant to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Food Chemistry, 252:142–146.
4. A. Kirakosyan, E.M. Seymour, J. Wolforth, R. McNish, P.B. Kaufman, S.F. Bolling (2015). Tissue bioavailability of anthocyanins from whole tart cherry in healthy rats. Food Chemistry, 171: 26–31.
5. E.M. Seymour, S. Warber , A. Kirakosyan, K.R. Noon, B. Gillespie, V.E. Uhley, J. Wunder, D.E. Urcuyo, P.B. Kaufman, S.F. Bolling (2014). Anthocyanin pharmacokinetics and dose-dependent plasma antioxidant pharmacodynamics following whole tart cherry intake in healthy humans. Journal of Functional Foods, 11:509-516
6. E.M. Seymour, I.I. Tanone, D.E. Urcuyo Llanes, P.B. Kaufman, A. Kirakosyan, S.F. Bolling (2011). Blueberry Intake Alters Skeletal Muscle and Adipose Tissue PPAR Activity and Reduces Insulin Resistance in Obese Rats. Journal of Medicinal Food 14(12), p.1511-1518.
7. A. Kirakosyan, E.M. Seymour, K.R. Noon, D.E. Urcuyo Llanes, P.B. Kaufman, S.F. Bolling (2010). Interactions of antioxidants isolated from tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) fruits. Food Chemistry 122 (2010) 78–83.
8. A. Kirakosyan, E. M. Seymour, D.E. Urcuyo Llanes, P.B. Kaufman, S.F. Bolling (2009). Chemical Profile and Antioxidant Capacities of Tart Cherry Products. Food Chemistry, 115 (1), p. 20–25.

1. Natural Products from Plants, 2nd Edition

Leland J. Cseke, Ara Kirakosyan, Peter B. Kaufman, Sara Warber, James A. Duke, Harry L. Brielmann

https://www.crcpress.com/Natural-Products-from-Plants/Cseke-Kirakosyan-Kaufman-Warber-Duke-Brielmann/p/book/9780849329760

2. Recent Advances in Plant Biotechnology 

Ara Kirakosyan, Peter B. Kaufman 

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-4419-0194-1

3. Handbook of Molecular and Cellular Methods in Biology and Medicine, 3rd Edition 

Leland J. Cseke, Ara Kirakosyan, Peter B. Kaufman, Margaret V. Westfall https://www.crcpress.com/Handbook-of-Molecular-and-Cellular-Methods-in-Biology-and-Medicine/Cseke-Kirakosyan-Kaufman-Westfall/p/book/9781420069389