Biography

Prof. Ashraf Khalil joined Dubai Pharmacy College for Girls as a Professor of Medicinal Chemistry in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences on August 13th, 2024. He received his PhD in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry from the School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi (USA) in 1997. He has held prestigious academic positions worldwide, including roles at King Saud University, King Faisal University as one of the main founders of the College of Clinical Pharmacy, and most recently, Qatar University, where he served as Head of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Department. In addition, he worked as a Senior Scientist at Virginia State University and Polytechnic Institute (Blacksburg, VA) and Analytical Biochemistry Laboratories (Columbia, Missouri) in the USA. Throughout his career, Prof. Khalil has published numerous international peer-reviewed papers, secured three US patents, and delivered over 90 research presentations.

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Education

• PhD in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi (USA), 1997.

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Research Interests

• Design and synthesis of novel anticancer agents.
• Characterization of monoamine oxidase inhibitors from synthetic and natural sources, with a focus on neurodegenerative diseases.

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Research Publications

• Ashraf Khalil, Ola Hussein, Arij Fouzat, Feras Alali, Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa “NOVEL PYRIDINE BASED CHALCONE ANALOGS AS CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC AGENTS AND USE THEREOF” U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 18/907, 427 filed October 4, 2024, SPB Ref: 432743.10393 [I-AMS.FID5565334]
• Arij Fouzat, Ola Hussein, Tara Al-Barazenji, Asma Allouch, Layla Kamareddine, Ahmed Malki, Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa, Ashraf Khalil “The Effect of Novel Nitrogen-Based Chalcone Analogs on Human Colorectal Cancer Cells Insight into the Molecular Pathways”. Heliyon, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27002.
• Arij Fouzat, Layla Kamareddine, Ashraf Khalil, Ala-Eddin Al Mustafa “Elaeagnus Angustifolia Plant Extract Inhibits Proliferation and Invasion of Human Colorectal Cancer Cells Via EGFR1, Akt and ß-Catenin Pathways” Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutic Oncology. 2023, Vol 11: 104.
• Dana Elkhalifa, Nour Al-Ziftawi, Ahmed Awaisu, Feras Alali, Ashraf Khalil “Efficacy and Tolerability of Sulforaphane in the Management of Cancers: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials” Frontiers in oncology, 2023,  DOI: 10.3389/fonc. 2023.1251895.
• Arij Fouzat, Ola Hussein, Ishita Gupta, Halema Al-Farsi, Ashraf Khalil and Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa “Elaeagnus angustifolia Plant Extract Induces Apoptosis via P53 and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Signaling Pathways in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells” Front. Nutr. 2022, 9:871667. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.871667.
• Dana Elkhalifa; Menatallah Rayan; Ahmed Negmeldin; Abdelbary Elhissi; Ashraf Khalil“Chemically Modified mRNA Beyond COVID-19 : Potential Preventive and Therapeutic Applications for Targeting Chronic Diseases” Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2022, 145: 112385.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112385.
• Zain Zakaria, Shaima Aladwi, Enas Absi, Fatiha Benslimane, Huseyin C Yalcin, Ashraf Khalil, Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa, Maha Al-Asmakh “Effect of Water-Pipe Smoking on the Normal Development of Zebrafish” Int. J. Environ. Res. and Public Health, 2021, 18(21), 11659; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111659.
• Balsam Rizeq; Ishita Gupta; Hadeel Kheraldine; Dana Elkhalifa; Halema F. Al-Farsi; Ashraf Khalil; Ala-Eddin Al-Mustafa “Novel Nitrogen-Based Chalcone Analogs Provoke Substantial Apoptosis in HER2-Positive Human Breast Cancer Cells via JNK and ERK1/ERK2 Signalling Pathways” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021, 22, 9621, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22179621.
• Ghada G. Abdo, Moustafa M. Zagho, Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa, Ashraf Khalil, Ahmed Elzatahry “A Comprehensive Review Summarizing the Recent Biomedical Applications of Functionalized Carbon Nanofibers” J. Biomedical Materials Research (Part B: Applied Biomaterials), 2021, 1-16, https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.b.34828.
• Ghada G. Abdo, Hadeel Kheraldine, Ishita Gupta, Balsam Rizeq, Ahmed Elzatahry, Ashraf Khalil & Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa. “Mesoporous Silica Coated Carbon Nanofibers Reduce Embryo toxicity and Angiogenesis Inhibition via ERK and JNK pathways” Material Science & Engineering C, 2021, 122, 111910, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2021.111910.
• Ashraf Khalil, Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa, Feras Alai, Dana Elkhalifa “Novel chalcone-based chemotherapeutic compound for triple negative breast cancer” United States Patent and Trademark Office, Publication No. 2020-0392119- A1, December 17, 2020.
• Dana Elkhalifa, Israa Al-Hashimi, Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa, Ashraf Khalil “A comprehensive review on the antiviral activities of chalcones” J. Drug Targeting. 2020, https://doi.org/10.1080/1061186X.2020.185375.
• Ghada G. Abdo, Hadeel Kheraldine, Ishita Gupta, Balsam Rizeq, Ahmed Elzatahry, Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa, Ashraf Khalil “Significant Toxic Effect of Carbon Nanofibers at the Early Stage of Embryogenesis” J. of Biomedical Nanotechnology, 2020, 16 (6), 975-984.
• Vanessa López-Ozuna, Ishita Gupta, Ryan Liu Chen Kiow, Emad Matanes, Hadeel Kheraldine, Amber Yasmeen, Ashraf Khalil, Semir Vranic, Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa, Halema F Al Farsi. “Water-pipe smoking exposure deregulates a set of genes associated with human head and neck cancer development and prognosis” Toxics, 2020, 8, 73-92.
• Ghada G. Abdo, Moustafa M. Zagho, and Ashraf Khalil “Recent Advances in Stimuli Responsive Drug Release and Targeting Concepts Using Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles” Emergent Materials, 2020, 3 (3), 407–425 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s42247-020-00109-x)
• Alaa Mahmoud, Dana Elkhalifa, Feras Alali, Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa, Ashraf Khalil “Novel  polymethoxylated chalcones as potential compounds against KRAS-Mutant Colorectal Cancers” Current Pharm. Design, 2020, 26, 1-12 Doi:10.2174/1381612826666200206095400. 
• Dana Elkhalifa, Abu Bakar Siddique, Mohammed Qusa, Farhan Cyprian, Khalid El Sayed, Feras Alali, Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa, Ashraf Khalil“Design, Synthesis, and Validation of Novel Nitrogen-Based Chalcone Analogs Against Triple Negative Breast Cancer” Eur. J. Med. Chem., 2020, 187 2020111954 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111954).
• Raed Shalaby, Jacobus P. Petzer, Anél Petzer, Usman Ashraf, Ealla Atari, Fawaz Alasmari, Sivarajan Kumarasamy, Youssef Sari, Ashraf Khalil “SAR and molecular mechanism studies of monoamine oxidase inhibition by selected chalcone analogues” J. of Enzyme Inhib. Med. Chem., 2019; 34(1): 863–876. (https://doi.org/10.1080/14756366.2019.1593158).
  • Shaikha S. Al-Qahdi, Nada Alzohari, Abrar Y. Alsaid1, Anas A. Ashour, Tahar Aboulkassim, Semir Vranic, Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa, Ashraf A. Khalil “Teucrium Polium plant extract provokes substantial cytotoxicity at the early stage of embryonic development” Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2019;19(1):67-71
  • Dana Elkhalifa, Feras Alali, Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa, Ashraf Khalil “Targeting Triple Negative Breast Cancer Heterogeneity with Chalcones: A Molecular Insight” J of Drug Targeting, 2018, DOI: 10.1080/1061186X.2018.1561889
  • Ayat S. Hammad, Ashraf Khalil, Shankar Munusamy “Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of amide-substituted piperine analogs for therapeutic potential to prevent ER stress”  J. Cell Stress and Chaperones  22(3), 417-428, 2017.
  • Sawsan Abuhamdah, Ashraf Khalil, and Youssef Sari “Targeting dopaminergic system for treatment nicotine dependence” Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Bentham Science), 16(2): 137-142, 2016.
  • Arwa Hammuda, Raed Shalaby, Stefano Rovida, Dale E. Edmondson, Claudia Binda,  Ashraf Khalil “Design and synthesis of novel chalcones as potent selective monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors” Eur. J. Med. Chem. 114, 162-169, 2016 (DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.02.038). 
  • Youssef Sari and Ashraf Khalil  “Monoamine oxidase inhibitors extracted from tobacco smoke as neuroprotective factors for potential treatment of Parkinson’s disease”, CNS & Neurological Disorders – Drug Targets. 14(6), 777-785, 2015.
  • Kamel Metwally,  Ashraf Khalil,  Asmaa Sallam,  Harris Pratsinis,  Dimitris Kletsas, and Khalid El Sayed “ Antimitotic and Antimigratory 3-Methyl-2,5-diarylpyrimido[4,5-c]quinolin-1(2H)-ones: Structure-Activity Relationship of Methoxy Substitution”  Med. Chem. Res. DOI 10.1007/s00044-012-0428-9, 2013 .  
  • Kamel Metwally, Ashraf Khalil, Harris Pratsinis, and Dimitris Kletsas “Synthesis, in vitro cytotoxicity, and a preliminary structure-activity relationship investigation of pyrimido[4,5-c]quinoloin-1(2H)-ones” Archiv. Pharm. Chem. Life Sci. 8, 465-472, 2010.
  • Philippe Bissel, Ashraf Khalil, John M. Rimoldi, K. Igarashi, Emre Isin, Dale Edmondson, Tony Miller, Frank Fronczek, and Neal Castagnoli, Jr. “Stereochemical studies on the novel monoamine oxidase-B substrates (1R,6S)- and (1S,6R)-3-methyl-6-phenyl-3-aza-bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane” Bioorg. Med. Chem., 16, 3557- 3564, 2008. 
  • Khalid A. El Sayed, Ashraf A. Khalil, Muhammad Yousaf, Guillermo Labadie, Mahesh K. Gundluru, Scott G. Franzblau, Alejandro M.S. Mayer, Mitchell A. Avery, and Mark T. Hamann “Semisynthetic Studies of the Manzamine Alkaloids” J. Nat. Prod. 71, 300-308, 2008.
  • Ashraf  A. Khalil, Bruce Davies, and Neal Castagnoli, Jr. “Isolation and Characterization of a Monoamine Oxidase B Selective Inhibitor from Tobacco Smoke”  Bioorg. Med. Chem., 14(10), 3392-3398, 2006. 
  • Abdulrahman M. Al-Obaid, Hassan A. Farag, Ashraf A. Khalil, Othman A. Al-Shabanah, Sami G. Abdel Hamid, Hassan A. El-Kashef, Ahmed M. Al-Afifi, Elrasheed A. Gadkariem and Hussein El-Subbagh “Synthesis and Investigation of Novel Shelf-Stable Brain-Specific MAO Inhibitors” Saudi Pharm. J. 14(1), 1-15, 2006.
  • John Rimoldi, Emre Isin, Philippe Bissel, Ashraf Khalil, and Neal Castagnoli, Jr. “A Novel and Selective Monoamine Oxidase B Substrate” Bioorg. Med.  Chem., 13(20), 5808-5813, 2005. 
  • František Hubálek, Claudia Binda, Ashraf Khalil, Min Li, Andrea Mattevi, Neal Castagnoli and Dale E. Edmondson “Demonstration of Isoleucine199 as a Structural Determinant for the Selective Inhibition of Human Monoamine Oxidase B by Specific Reversible Inhibitors” J. Biological Chem., 280, 15761-15766, 2005.
  • A. Khalil, F. Belal, and A. Al-Badr “Dipyridamole, Comprehensive Profile” Profiles of Drug Substances, and Related Methodology.  (H. G. Brittain, Editor), Academic Press, New York, 31, 215-280, 2004.  
  • I. Katsuyama, Ashraf. A. Khalil, C. Dunbar, and J. K. Zjawiony, “Concentration-Dependent Variation in 1H-NMR Chemical Shifts of Aromatic Protons in Sampangine Derivatives”, Spectroscopy Letters, 36 (5-6), 477-485, 2003.
  • Khalil, A.; El-Sayed, K.; Belal, F.; Khalil, N. Y. and Hamann, M. “Spectrofluorimetric Determination of Manzamine A in Spiked Human Urine and Plasma” Archiv der Pharmazie. 58 (6), 385-388, 2003.
  • Ashraf A. Khalil, Sami G. Abdel Hamid, Abdulrahman M. Al-Obaid and Hussein El-Subbagh, “Substituted quinazolines, Part 2. Synthesis and in vitro anticancer evaluation of new 2-substituted mercapto-3H-quinzoline analogs” Arch. Pharm. Pharm. Med. Chem. 336, 1-9, 2003.
  • Kay Castagnoli; Stefanus J. Steyn; Geraldine Magnin; Cornelis J. Van Der Scyf; Izel Fourie, Ashraf Khalil; and Neal Castagnoli, Jr “Studies on the Interactions of Tobacco Leaf and Tobacco Smoke Constituents and Monoamine Oxidase”  Neurotoxicity Res., 4 (2), 151- 160, 2002.
  • S. G. Abdel Hamid, H. A. El-Obeid, K. A. Al-Rashood, A. A. Khalil, and H. I. El-Subbagh “Substituted Quinazoline, I. Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of Certain Substituted 2-Mercapto-4-(3H)-quinazolinone Analogs” Scienta Pharmaceutica (Sci. Pharm.). 69, 351- 366, 2001.
  • Isamu Katsuyama, Ashraf A. Khalil, Jianwei Ren, and Jordan K. Zjawiony “The Identification, Mechanism, and Improved Synthesis of a New and Unique Heterocyclic System with a Fused Imidazole Ring” Heterocycles, 54 (2), 721- 726, 2001.
  • Ashraf A. Khalil, Salome Steyn and Neal Castagnoli, Jr. “Isolation and Characterization of a New MAO Inhibitor from Tobacco” Chem. Res. Tox., 13 (1), 31- 35, 2000.
  • Jordan K. Zjawiony, Ashraf A. Khalil, Alice M. Clark, Charles D. Hufford, and Khaled Y. Orabi “Samidazoles: New Antifungal Agents” USA Patent, No. 09/116,535, 1998.
  • Jordan K. Zjawiony, Ashraf A. Khalil, Charles D. Hufford, Alice M. Clark and John K.   Buolamwini “Studies on Methoxylation in The 7H-Naphtho[1,2,3-i,j][2,7] naphthyridin-7-one System.” J. of Heterocyclic Chem., 34, 1233-1237, 1997.
  • K. A. Al-Rashood, E. M. Abdel-Moety, O. A. Al-deeb, A. A. Khalil and N. A. Khattab   “Derivative Spectrophotometry for Stability-indicating Determination of   Norfloxacin in Bulk Form and Tablets.” Scientia Pharmaceutica (Sci. Pharm.), 62, 225-235, 1994.
  • O. A. Al-Deeb, K. A. Al-Rashood and A. A. Khalil “Synthesis of New (1-Phenylcyclohexyl) Piperazine as Potential Analgesics” Bull. of Fac. Pharm., Cairo Univ., 31(3) 475-479, 1993.
  • O. A. Al-deeb, E. M. Abdel-Moety, N. A. Khattab and A. A. Khalil  “Potentiometric Titrimetry for Simultaneous Determination of Ampicillin and Dicloxacillin in Bulk and in Capsules.” Acta Pharmaceutica Fennica, 101, 215-219, 1992.

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External Profiles

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