Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacotherapy

Academic staff – Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacotherapy, MU-Plovdiv

Contacts

e-mail : [email protected]
Phone: 032 60 2501


The beginning
In 2006, the Department of Pharmacology and Drug Toxicology was established as an integral unit of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Medical University of Plovdiv. The first head of the department was Associate Professor Lyudmil Peychev, MD, PhD.

Habilitated lecturers in drug toxicology and pharmacotherapy were Professor Margarita Karaivanova, MD, DSc, and Associate Professor Yanko Iliev, MD, PhD. Subsequently, the first assistant-professors were appointed: Nina Doncheva, MD (2007), Anita Mihailova, MD (2009), Mihaela Shishmanova-Doseva, PharmD (2009).

Since 2007, Veneta Zhelyazkova (holder of Master degree in Chemistry), has been appointed to the department to manage the majority of the experimental work.

With the increasing volume of teaching responsibilities, the demand for additional staff grew accordingly. Consequently, in 2012, Elisaveta Apostolova PharmD, Mariyan Topolov MD, and Vesela Kokova PharmD were appointed as assistant-professors. From 2015 to 2017, under Article 68 of the Labour Code, Kremena Saracheva PharmD and Liliya Vasileva PharmD served as assistants within the department. In 2017, Kremena Saracheva PharmD was retained as an assistant-professor on permanent contract.

Since 2021, according to a decision of the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Pharmacy, (Protocol No. 2/10.02.2021), subsequently ratified by the Academic Council (Protocol No.2/18.02.2021), the department has been renamed as Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacotherapy.

In April 2022, Chief Assistant Professor Elisaveta Apostolova was conferred the academic title of “Associate Professor” and since April 2024, she has been the head of the department. Additionally, in January 2024, Chief Assistant Professor Vesela Kokova was also conferred the academic title of “Associate Professor.”

Pursuant to Rector’s Order No.R3651/11.12.2023, Kristina Stavrakeva PharmD has been appointed as a regular PhD student under the supervision of Associate Professor Apostolova.

As of December 2023, Sevdalina Andonova has joined the department as a medical laboratory technician.

Recently, the academic staff of the department consists of 8 lecturers, including 3 habilitated members, 5 Chief Assistants Professors holding PhDs, and 1 PhD candidate.

Faculty members are engaged in the teaching of 6 disciplines: pharmacology (in both Bulgarian and English lenguage), clinical pharmacology (in both Bulgarian and English lenguage), pharmacokinetics, drug toxicology, pharmacotherapy, and clinical homeopathy. Additionally, there is ongoing collaboration with students on scientific projects for the investigation of biologically active substances.

Education

Instructions for the State Examination in Pharmacology and Toxicology

Academic standarts

Syllabus

Programs

Conspectus


The Department of Pharmacology and Drug Toxicology has been established in 2006 with Head of the Department prof. Ludmil Peychev, MD, PhD, MHM.

Five different disciplines – General Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, Drug Toxicology, Pharmacotherapy and Clinical Homeopathy are being taught by the academic staff of the Department.

The pharmacology course is included in the academic program for medicine, dental medicine, pharmacy, nursery, midwifery. Many students participate in the research of biologically active substances under the guidance of their teachers.
Members of the academic staff are engaged in 10 research projects, supported by Medical University-Plovdiv and the Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria.

Academic Staff

Associate Professor Elisaveta G. Apostolova, PharmD, PhD – Head of the Department

Елисавета Апостолова
Phone: 032/200 760
e-mail: [email protected]

Professor Lyudmil P. Peychev, MD, PhD, MHM

L. Peychev
Phone: 032/200 761
e-mail: [email protected]

Prof. Blase Billack, PhD, Fulbright visiting lecturer

B.-Billack
Phone:
e-mail: [email protected]
e-mail: [email protected]

Assoc. Professor Vesela Y. Kokova, PharmD, PhD

Весела Кокова
Phone: 032/200 760
e-mail: [email protected]

Chief Administrative Assistant Nina Doncheva, MD, PhD

Phone: 032/200 754
e-mail: [email protected]

Chief Assistant Michaela S. Shishmanova – Doseva, PharmD, PhD, MHM

Phone: 032/200 757
e-mail: [email protected]

Chief Assistant Anita S. Michailova, MD, PhD

Phone: 032/200 754
e-mail: [email protected]

Chief Assistant Mariyan K. Topolov, MD, PhD

Мариян Тополов
Phone: 032/200 755
e-mail: [email protected]

Chief Assistant Kremena E. Saracheva, PharmD, PhD

Кремена Сарачева
Phone: 032/200 755
e-mail: [email protected]

Kristina Stavrakeva, MPharm

Кристина Ставракева
Phone: 032/200 755
e-mail: [email protected]

Sevdalina Andonova – Medical laboratory technician

Севдалина Андонова
Phone: 032/200 755
e-mail: [email protected]

Veneta Zhelyazkova -Chemist

Венета Желязкова
Phone: 032/200 755
e-mail: [email protected]

Science & Research

The academic staff of the department conducts research in the following primary scientific domains:
• Research in neuropsychopharmacology,

• Investigation of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of natural and synthetic substances,
• Study of the effects of natural and synthetic substances on learning, memory, and cognitive functions in models of neurodegenerative diseases,
• Experimental research on obesity and prediabetes,
• Evaluation of the potential hepatoprotective effects of natural bioactive substances,
• Exploration of the neuroprotective effects of bioactive substances from natural and synthetic sources,
• Examination of the acute and chronic toxicity of newly synthesized compounds from natural and synthetic origins.

Over the past five years, the department has achieved significant results in the scientific field (Table 1). The academic staff of the department has contributed to the publication of 72 scientific articles, with 41 published in journals with impact factor. Scientific presentations and reports totaled 98 and 45 of them were presented on international forums. The department has collaborated on the writing of 18 textbooks and practical manuals, and 6 monographs. Additionally, 2 habilitations for associate professorship were completed (E. Apostolova and V. Kokova), and 4 PhD dissertations were defended (M. Topolov, V. Kokova, K. Saracheva, A. Mihaylova). Team members participated in 14 research projects funded by the Medical University – Plovdiv and the Ministry of Education and Science. Over the last 5 years, members of the academic staff have collectively received 16 awards and distinctions, completed 4 mobilities under the Erasmus+ program, and organized 4 scientific conferences.

Table 1. Publication activity of the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacotherapy at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv for the period 2017 – 2023.

  2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Publications in journals with IF (Web of Science) * 5 7 9(1) 6 3(2) 3(2) 8(5)
Publications in journals with SJR (Scopus) * 5(2) 4(2) 2 2 2
Publications in journals indexed and referenced in specific databases * 1 2(1) 1 2 2
Publications in journals from the national reference list * 3(2) 3(2) 2(2) 2 3(1) 5(3) 2(1)
Publications in non-refereed journals * 5(3) 1 1 1(1)
Citation count in peer-reviewed journals 15 19 31 47 89 110 139
Monographs 1 3 1 1
Textbooks and practical manuals 5 2 3 2 1 5
Participation in international scientific forums * 10(2) 8(3) 6(3) 7(1) 9(4) 5(2)
Участия в национални научни форуми* 1 1 3 1 3
Participation in national scientific forums * 1 1(1)
Participation in national scientific projects * 1 1 3 1 3
Participation in intra-university scientific projects* 1(1) 2 3 3 3(2)
Awards and distinctions 2 1 3 1 4 5
Mobilities under the Erasmus+ program 2 2
Organization of scientific conferences/forums 1 1 1 1
Number of defended PhD thesis 3 1

*The total number is indicated, followed by the number in parentheses indicating the count of publications/participations/projects involving students and doctoral candidates.

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

Mihaylova A. , 2019. Experimental influence on memory functions, inflammation and immunomodulation during the administration of pramipexole and tolcapone.

Saracheva K. , 2017. In vivo and in vitro study of the effects of second generation triptans on behavioral functions and a. common carotid.

Kokova V. , 2017. Experimental study of the pharmacological effects of etifoxine on nervous and neuromuscular structures.

Topolov M. , 2017. A comparative study of the effects of olanzapine and aripiprazole on patterns of altered memory functions.

Doncheva N. , 2016. Comparative experimental study of analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of agents used for concomitant pain therapy.

Apostolova E. , 2015. Experimental characterization of little-studied neuropharmacogical effects of retigabine.

Shishmanova-Doseva M. , 2014. Experimental study on the influence of Lacosamide on learning, memory and physical work capacity of rats.

Iliev Ya. , 2000. Acute poisonings: clinical-epidemiological characteristics, toxicological assistance and health consequences.

Peychev L. 1991. New experimental data in the neuropharmacological characteristics of sodium valproate during repeated administration and after its withdrawal.