Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacotherapy

Academic Staff

Assoc. Prof. Elisaveta Apostolova, MPharm, MHM, PhD – Head of Department

Phone: 032/200 760
e-mail: [email protected]
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Prof. Lyudmil Peychev, MD, MHM, PhD

Phone: 032/200 761
e-mail: [email protected]
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Assoc. Prof. Vesela Kokova, MPharm, PhD – Responsible for Postgraduate education, E-learning and Update of the web page of Department

Phone: 032/200 760
e-mail: [email protected]
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Assoc. Prof. Michaela Shishmanova – Doseva, MPharm, MHM, PhD – Responsible for Educational activities

Phone: 032/200 757
e-mail: [email protected]
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Prof. Blase Billack, PhD – Fulbright visiting lecturer

Phone:
e-mail: [email protected]
e-mail: [email protected]
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Chief Asst. Prof. Nina Doncheva, MD, PhD – Chief Assistant Professor for Administrative Activities

Phone: 032/200 754
e-mail: [email protected]
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Chief Asst. Prof. Anita Mihaylova, MD, PhD – Responsible for Research activities

Phone: 032/200 754
e-mail: [email protected]
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Chief Asst. Prof. Mariyan Topolov, MD, PhD – Responsible for Fire safety and work safety

Phone: 032/200 755
e-mail: [email protected]
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Chief Asst. Prof. Kremena Saracheva, MPharm, PhD – Responsible for Quality and Аccreditation, Responsible for International Cooperation and Project Activity, Responsible for measurement and monitoring resources

Phone: 032/200 755
e-mail: [email protected]
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Asst. Prof. Kristina Stavrakeva, MPharm, PhD

Phone: 032/200 755
e-mail: [email protected]
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Veneta Zhelyazkova – Chemist

Phone: 032/200 755
e-mail: [email protected]
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Sevdalina Andonova – Medical Laboratory Technician

Phone: 032/200 755
e-mail: [email protected]
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Science & Research

The academic staff of Department “Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacotherapy” conducts research in the following primary scientific domains:
• Research in neuropsychopharmacology;
• Exploration of the neuroprotective effects of bioactive substances from natural and synthetic sources;
• Study of the effects of natural and synthetic substances on learning, memory, and cognitive functions in models of neurodegenerative diseases;
• Investigation of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of natural and synthetic substances;
• Experimental research on obesity and prediabetes;
• Evaluation of the potential hepatoprotective effects of natural bioactive substances;
• Examination of the acute and chronic toxicity of newly synthesized compounds from natural and synthetic origins;
• Study of the potential regenerative effect of dosage forms containing natural bioactive substances.

Textbooks

• Basic & Clinical Pharmacology with Toxicology. Edited by: prof. Nadka Boyadjieva. ARSO 2015. Edited by: prof. Nadka Boyadjieva. Publisher: ARSO 2021, ISBN: 978-197-061-2).
• Pharmacology Handbook for Medical and Dental Students. Editors: assoc. prof. I. Kostadinov, MD, PhD and assoc. prof. D. Delev, MD, PhD. Printed by Bulvest Print, Plovdiv, 2018 (First Edition) (ISBN:978-619-237-006-0). University Publishing House, Medical University – Plovdiv, 2022 (Second edition) (ISBN 978-619-237-102-9).

Publications

Stavrakeva K, Metodieva K, Benina M, Bivolarska A, Dimov I, Choneva M, Kokova V, Alseekh S, Ivanova V, Vatov E, Gechev T, Mladenova T, Mladenov R, Todorov K, Stoyanov P, Gyuzeleva D, Popova M, Apostolova E. Metabolic composition of methanolic extract of the Balkan endemic species Micromeria frivaldszkyana (Degen) Velen and its anti-inflammatory effect on male Wistar rats. International journal of molecular sciences 2024; 25(10): 5396. IF = 4.9 (2023).

Nina Doncheva, Anita Mihaylova, Hristina Zlatanova, Mariya Ivanovska, Ilia Kostadinov. Immunomodulatory properties of cholecalciferol in rats with experimentally induced inflammation. Pharmacia 2024, 71:1-9. Journal Citation Report (Q3, 2022) IF=1.1.

B. Lechkova, D. Karcheva-Bahchevanska, K. Ivanov, V. Todorova, N. Benbassat, N. Penkova, P. Atanassova, L. Peychev, P. Hrischev, Zh. Peychev, D. Terziev, S. Ivanova. A Study of the Chemical Composition, Acute and Subacute Toxicity of Bulgarian Tanacetum parthenium Essential Oil. Molecules 2023, 28, 4906. 1-17. IF=4.927 (2021)
D. Karcheva-Bahchevanska, N. Benbassat, Y. Georgieva, B. Lechkova, S. Ivanova, K. Ivanov, V. Todorova, L. Peychev, Zh. Peychev, P. Denev. A Study of the Chemical Composition, Acute and Subacute Toxicity of Bulgarian Tanacetum parthenium Essential Oil. Molecules. 2023; 28(16): 6155.doi: 10.3390/molecules28166155 , IF=4.927 (2021).

Kokova V, Lukova P, Baldzhieva A, Katsarov P, Delattre C, Molinié R, Petit E, Elboutachfaiti R, Murdjeva M, Apostolova E. Extraction, structural characterization, and in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of alginate from Cystoseira crinita (Desf.) Borry harvested in the Bulgarian Black Sea. Marine Drugs 2023; 21(4): 245. IF = 4.9.

Kokova V, Apostolova E. Effect of etifoxine on locomotor activity and passive learning in rats with diazepam-induced cognitive deficit. Scientia Pharmaceutica 2023; 91(2): 25. IF = 2.3.

Lukova P, Apostolova E, Baldzhieva A, Murdjeva M, Kokova V. Fucoidan from Ericaria crinita alleviates inflammation in rat paw edema, downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and shows antioxidant activity. Biomedicines 2023; 11(9): 2511. IF = 3.9.

V. Yotov, R. Ardasheva, A. Mihaylova, N. Doncheva, I. Kostadinov, V. Turiyski. Simulated microgravity affects carrageenan-induced inflammation process in rats. Pharmacia, 2023;70 (4)1531-1538. IF=1,1 (2022).

Dimitrova D, Getova D, Saracheva K. Effects of 3R, 16S-2-hydroxyethyl apovincaminate (HEAPO), donepezil and galantamine on learning and memory retention in naïve Wistar rats. Acta Pharm. 2023;73(1):91-105.

Kokova V, Draganova-Filipova M, Zagorchev P, Peychev L, Apostolova E. Denatonium benzoate attenuates inflammation and pain and decreases PGE2 levels in rats. Farmacia 2022; 70(2): 222-227. IF = 1.6.

Apostolova E, Lukova P, Baldzhieva A, Delattre C, Molinié R, Petit E, Elboutachfaiti R, Nikolova M, Iliev I, Murdjeva M, Kokova V. Structural characterization and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of fucoidan from Cystoseira crinita (Desf.) Borry. Marine Drugs 2022; 20(11): 714. IF = 5.4.

Shishmanova-Doseva M, Georgieva K, Uzunova Y, Ioanidu L, Atanasova M, Nenchovska Z, Tchekalarova J. Pre- and post-endurance training mitigates the rat pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus and epileptogenesis-associated deleterious consequences. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(21).

Shishmanova-Doseva M, Atanasova D, Ioanidu L, Uzunova Y, Atanasova M, Peychev L, Tchekalarova J. The anticonvulsant effect of chronic treatment with topiramate after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus is accompanied by a suppression of comorbid behavioral impairments and robust neuroprotection in limbic regions in rats. Epilepsy Behav. 2022;134.

Choneva M, Shishmanova-Doseva M, Dimov I, Boyanov K, Dimitrov I, Vlaykova T, Georgieva K, Hrischev P, Bivolarska A. Xylooligosaccharides and aerobic training regulate metabolism and behavior in rats with streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes. Open Med. 2022;17(1):1632-44.

Shishmanova-Doseva M. Protective effect of lacosamide and topiramate treatment against Pentylenetetrazole-induced kindling and associated cognitive dysfunction in rats. Pharmacia. 2022;69(4):1005-12.

Doncheva N, A. Mihaylova, H. Zlatanova, M. Ivanovska, D. Delev, M Murdjeva, I Kostadinov. Vitamin D3 exerts immunomodulatory and memory improving properties in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. Folia Medica, 2022; 54(5):770-781.

Milusheva M, Gledacheva V, Batmazyan M, Nikolova S, Stefanova I, Dimitrova D, Saracheva K, Tomov D, Chaova-Gizdakova V. Ex Vivo and In Vivo Study of Some Isoquinoline Precursors. Sci. Pharm. 2022, 90, 37.

Shishmanova-Doseva M, Peychev L, Yoanidu L, Uzunova Y, Atanasova M, Georgieva K, Tchekalarova J. Anticonvulsant effects of topiramate and lacosamide on pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in rats: A role of reactive oxygen species and inflammation. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(5):1-13.

Shishmanova-Doseva M, Atanasova D, Uzunova Y, Yoanidu L, Peychev L, Marinov P, Tchekalarova J. Effects of lacosamide treatment on epileptogenesis, neuronal damage and behavioral comorbidities in a rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(9).

Mihaylova A, Doncheva N, Zlatanova H, Delev D, Ivanovska M, Koeva Y, Murdjeva M, Kostadinov I. Dopamniergic agonist pramipexole improves memory and increases IL-10 production in LPS-challenged rats. Iran J Basic Med Sci, 2021; 24(5):577-585, IF=2.532 (2020).

Tomova T, N. Doncheva, A. Mihaylova, I. Kostadinov, L. Peychev, M. Argirova. An experimental study on phytochemical composition and memory enhancing effect of Ginko Biloba Seed Extract. Folia Medica, 2021;63(2): 203-12.

Mihaylova A, I. Kostadinov, N. Doncheva, D. Delev, H. Zlatanova. Pramipexole and tolcapone alleviate thermal and mechanical nociception in naive rats. Folia Medica, 2021;63(3): 377-84.

Apostolova E, Lukova P, Baldzhieva A, Katsarov P, Nikolova M, Iliev I, Peychev L, Trica B, Oancea F, Delattre C, Kokova V. Immunomodulatory and anti-Inflammatory effects of fucoidan: a review. Polymers 2020; 12(10): 2338. IF = 4.329.

Kokova V, Zagorchev P, Apostolova E, Peychev L. Etifoxine does not impair muscle tone and motor function in rats as assessed by in vivo and in vitro methods. General Physiology and Biophysics 2020; 39(2): 179-186. IF = 1.512.

Zagorchev P, Kokova V, Apostolova E, Draganova-Filipova M. Denatonium benzoate decreases the effect of histamine in vitro and in rats. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 2020; 19: 1879-1885. IF = 0.533.

Delchev S, Gerginska F, Georgieva K, Shishmanova-Doseva M. Alterations in Myonuclear Number and BDNF Expression in Soleus Muscle Fibres Following Endurance Training are Androgen-Dependent. Acta Morphologica et Anthropologica 2020; 27 (1-2):9-16.

Saracheva K, Hrischev P, Vasileva L, Topolov M, Nikolova J, Getova D. Effects of new generation triptans – frovatriptan and almotriptan – on hemodynamic parameters in intact male and female rats. Acta Pharmaceutica, Zagreb. 2020; 70(2):239-247, IF 1.45.

Ahmed-Popova F, Sivkov S, Topolov M, Beshkov A. An fMRI study of adult brain cortical activation following intensive learning. Frontiers in Psychiatry, section Neuroimaging and Stimulation. 2020; 11: 115, Manuscript ID: 487881, ISSN 1664-0640; IF 3.532.

Peycheva S, Apostolova Е, Gardjeva P, Peychev Z, Kokova V, Angelov A, Slavov A, Murdjeva M. Effect of Bulgarian propolis on the oral microflora in adolescents with plaque-induced gingivitis. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia 2019; 29: 271-277. IF = 1.407.

Mihaylova A, Zlatanova H, Doncheva N, Delev D, Kostadinov I. Catechol-o-methyltransferase inhibitor tolcapone improves learning and memory in naïve but not in haloperidol challenged rats. Iran J Basic Med Sci, 2019; 22(6): 695-702, 2019. IF=2.532 (2020).

Vasileva LV, Ivanovska MV, Murdjeva MA, Saracheva KE, Georgiev MI. Immunoregulatory natural compounds in stress-induced depression: An alternative or an adjunct to conventional antidepressant therapy? Food Chem Toxicol. 2019;127:81-88.

Taralov ZZ, Dimov PK, Terziyski KV, Marinov BI, Topolov MK, Kostianev SS. Effects of acute hypoxic provocation on autonomic nervous system in young “healthy” smokers measured by heart rate variability. Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, 2019; 30(2):108-112. IF 1.128.

Daskalova E, Delchev S, Topolov M, Dimitrova S, Uzunova Y, Valcheva Kuzmanova S, Kratchanova M, Vladimirova-Kitova L, Denev P. Aronia melanocarpa(Michx.) Elliot fruit juice reveals neuroprotective effectand improves cognitive and locomotor functions of aged rats. Food and Chemical Toxicology; 2019; 132:110674; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2019.110674. IF 3.775.

Zagorchev P, Apostolova E, Kokova V, Peychev L, Peychev Z, Draganova-Filipova M. Activation of Kv7.2 to Kv7.5 channels by retigabine modulates the effects of histamine and 2-(2-pyridyl) ethylamine on smooth muscles. Comptes rendus de l’Acad´emie bulgare des Sciences 2018; 71(10): 1428-1436. IF = 0.321.

Zagorchev P, Kokova V, Apostolova E, Peychev L. Possible role of 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) in etifoxine-induced reduction of direct twitch responses in isolated rat nerve-skeletal muscle preparations. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 2018; 17(7): 1309-1315. IF = 0.439.

Beshkov A, Topolov M, Ahmed-Popova F, Sivkov S. A Review of Neuroimaging Studies on Working Memory Paradigms in Patients with Bipolar Disorder. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry; 2018; 18(21):1883-1892.; IF 3.37.

Andonova V, Peneva P, Georgiev G, Toncheva V, Apostolova E, Peychev Z, Dimitrova S, Katsarova M, Petrova N, Kassarova M. Ketoprofen-loaded polymer carriers in bigel formulation: an approach to enhancing drug photostability in topical application forms. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2017; 12:6221-6238. IF=4.370 (2017).

Andonova V, Peneva P, Apostolova E, Dimcheva T, Peychev Zh, Kassarova M. Carbopol hydrogel/sorbitan monostearate-almond oil based organogel biphasic formulations: Preparation and characterization of the bigels. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2017; 16:1455-1463. IF=0.444 (2017).

Apostolova E, Zagorchev P, Kokova V, Peychev L. Retigabine diminishes the effects of acetylcholine, adrenaline and adrenergic agonists on the spontaneous activity of guinea pig smooth muscle strips in vitro. Autonomic neuroscience: Basic and Clinical 2017; 203: 51-57. IF = 2.605.

Saracheva KE, Prissadova NA., Turiiski VI., Slavchev VI., Krastev AD., Getova DP. Effects of the novel high-affinity 5-HT (1B/1D)-receptor ligand frovatriptan on the rat carotid artery. Folia Med. 2017; 59(1):31-36.

Saracheva K, Getova D. Effects of second generation triptans-frovatriptan and almotriptan on locomotor activity in an experimental model of migraine. Bulgarian medicine 2017; 7(1):17-22.

Zagorchev P., Apostolova E., Kokova V., Peychev L. Activation of KCNQ channels located on the skeletal muscle membrane by retigabine and its influence on the maximal muscle force in rat muscle strips. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology, 2016,389(4): 439–446.

Saracheva K, Vasileva L, Getova D. Pharmacotherapy of post-traumatic stress disorder. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 2016; 5(6):75-87.

Shishmanova М, Georgieva K, Peychev L. Effect of Lacosamide and Lamotrigine on Cognitive Functions in Pentylentetrazole Kindled Rats. Comptes rendus de l’Academie bulgare des Sciences BAS. 2015; 68, 5: 661-8. IF = 0.284.

J. Tchekalarova, M. Shishmanova, D. Atanasova, M. Stefanova, L. Alova, N. Lazarov, K. Georgieva. Effect of endurance training on seizure susceptibility, behavioral changes and neuronal damage after kainate-induced status epilepticus in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Brain Res. 2015; Vol 2;1625; 39-53. IF= 2.561.

Monographs

Kokova V. Therapeutic potential of alginate and fucoidan, 2023, “Niton”, Plovdiv, ISBN 978-954-347-109-6.

Shishmanova-Doseva M. Epilepsy. Epileptogenesis. Comorbidities. Possible mechanisms and strategies. “Bulged” Ltd. 2022. ISBN 978-619-92344-0-2.

Apostolova E. Experimental models of dependence and pain in animals, 2020, IPC “Ecobelan”, ISBN 978-619-7561-17-3.

Peychev L, Boyadjian H. From the symptom to the medication and from the medication to the symptom – Homoeopathic guide. Sofia, Publisher “Iztok-Zapad” 2011, 830 pages, ISBN 978-954-321-524-9.

Peychev L. Homeopathy. In: “Psychology and Medicine”, edited by Nadejda Madjirova. Plovdiv, Publisher “Raikov” 2011, 662 pages. ISBN: 978-954-9666-58-8; 526-531.

Dissertations

• Peychev L., 1991. New experimental data in the neuropharmacological characteristics of sodium valproate during repeated administration and after its withdrawal.
• Iliev Ya., 2000. Acute poisonings: clinical-epidemiological characteristics, toxicological assistance and health consequences.
• Shishmanova-Doseva M., 2014. Experimental study on the influence of Lacosamide on learning, memory and physical work capacity of rats.
• Apostolova E., 2015. Experimental characterization of little-studied neuropharmacogical effects of retigabine.
• Doncheva N., 2016. Comparative experimental study of analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of agents used for concomitant pain therapy.
• Topolov M., 2017. A comparative study of the effects of olanzapine and aripiprazole on patterns of altered memory functions.
• Kokova V., 2017. Experimental study of the pharmacological effects of etifoxine on nervous and neuromuscular structures.
• Saracheva K., 2017. In vivo and in vitro study of the effects of second generation triptans on behavioral functions and a. common carotid.
• Mihaylova A., 2019. Experimental influence on memory functions, inflammation and immunomodulation during the administration of pramipexole and tolcapone.
• Stavrakeva Kr., 2025. Study of biological effects of methanolic extract of Мicromeria frivaldszkyana (Degen) Velen. (Lamiaceae).