Prof. Sameera R Samarakoon
Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IBMBB)
1. International peer reviewed articles
Development of a New Nanocarrier for Dietary Garcinol: Characterization and In Vitro Efficacy Evaluation Using Breast Cancer Stem Cells Grown in Hypoxia
Amal Charindra Hulangamuwa, Meran Keshawa Ediriweera, Umapriyatharshini Rajagopalan, Desiree Nedra Karunaratne, Kamani Hemamala Tennekoon, Sameera Ranganath Samarakoon. Development of a New Nanocarrier for Dietary Garcinol: Characterization and In Vitro Efficacy Evaluation Using Breast Cancer Stem Cells Grown in Hypoxia. Journal of Food Quality. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6654211
Virtual screening of inhibitors against spike glycoprotein of 2019 novel corona virus: A drug repurposing approach
Kanishka Senathilake, Sameera Samarakoon, Kamani Tennekoon. Virtual screening of inhibitors against spike glycoprotein of 2019 novel corona virus: A drug repurposing approach. Preprints. 2020. 10.20944/preprints202003.0042.v2
The Genome of Setaria digitata: A Cattle Nematode Closely Related to Human Filarial Parasites
Kanchana S Senanayake, Jonas Söderberg, Aleksei Põlajev, Maja Malmberg, Eric H Karunanayake, Kamani H Tennekoon, Sameera R Samarakoon, Erik Bongcam-Rudloff, Adnan Niazi. The Genome of Setaria digitata: A Cattle Nematode Closely Related to Human Filarial Parasites. Genome Biology and Evolution.2020. 12.2. 3971-3976. https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evaa017
Synthesis and characterization of novel naphthalene-derivatized tridentate ligands and their net neutral rhenium tricarbonyl complexes and cytotoxic effects on non-small cell lung cancer cells of interest
Taniya Darshani, Frank R Fronczek, Varuni V Priyadarshani, Sameera R Samarakoon, Inoka C Perera, Theshini Perera. Synthesis and characterization of novel naphthalene-derivatized tridentate ligands and their net neutral rhenium tricarbonyl complexes and cytotoxic effects on non-small cell lung cancer cells of interest. Polyhedron. 2020. 114652. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2020.114652.
Novel Cytotoxic Compound From the Endolichenic Fungus, Xylaria psidii Inhabiting the Lichen, Amandinea medusulina
Sinthujah Santhirasegaram, Suranga R Wickramarachchi, Renuka N Attanayake, Gothamie Weerakoon, Sameera Samarakoon, Kithsiri Wijeratne, Priyani A Paranagama. A Novel Cytotoxic Compound From the Endolichenic Fungus, Xylaria psidii Inhabiting the Lichen, Amandinea medusulina. Natural Product Communications. 2020. 15.7. https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X20933017
Hexane Extract of Garcinia quaesita Fruits Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Stem Cells Isolated from Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Line
Varuni Colamba Pathiranage, Jesiska Nirmalee Lowe, Umapriyatharshini Rajagopalan, Meran Keshawa Ediriweera, Kanishka Senathilake, Poorna Piyathilaka, Kamani Hemamala Tennekoon, Sameera Ranganath Samarakoon. Hexane Extract of Garcinia quaesita Fruits Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Stem Cells Isolated from Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Line MDA-MB-231. Nutrition and Cancer. 2020. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2020.1773511
Evaluation of anticancer effects of a pharmaceutically viable extract of a traditional polyherbal mixture against non-small-cell lung cancer cells
Varuni Colamba Pathiranage, Ira Thabrew, Sameera R Samarakoon, Kamani H Tennekoon, Umapriyatharshini Rajagopalan, Meran K Ediriweera. Evaluation of anticancer effects of a pharmaceutically viable extract of a traditional polyherbal mixture against non-small-cell lung cancer cells. Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2020.02.007
An efficient and high-yielding method for extraction and purification of linamarin from Cassava; in vitro biological evaluation
KAU Samanthi, Dhanushi T Welideniya, Anjana Delpe Acharige, Sameera R Samarakoon, Rajitha K Rathnayaka, Madhavi de Silva, Shashika S Perera, Colin Pieris, Umayangani K Wanninayake, Adeesha Jayathilaka, Veranja Karunaratne, GAJ Amaratunga, Dinara S Gunasekera. An efficient and high-yielding method for extraction and purification of linamarin from Cassava; in vitro biological evaluation. Natural Product Research. 2020.1-4. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2020.1744136
Vernolactone promotes apoptosis and autophagy in human teratocarcinomal (NTERA-2) cancer stem-like cells
Nuwanka K Abeysinghe, Ira Thabrew, Sameera R Samarakoon, Meran K Ediriweera, Kamani H Tennekoon, Varuni PC Pathiranage, Anuka S Mendis. Vernolactone promotes apoptosis and autophagy in human teratocarcinomal (NTERA-2) cancer stem-like cells. Stem Cells International. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6907893.
Role of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in ovarian cancer: Biological and therapeutic significance
Meran Keshawa Ediriweera, Kamani Hemamala Tennekoon, Sameera Ranganath Samarakoon. Role of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in ovarian cancer: Biological and therapeutic significance. Seminars in cancer biology. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.05.012
Emerging role of histone deacetylase inhibitors as anti-breast-cancer agents
Meran Keshawa Ediriweera, Kamani Hemamala Tennekoon, Sameera Ranganath Samarakoon. Emerging role of histone deacetylase inhibitors as anti-breast-cancer agents. Drug Discovery Today. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2019.02.003.
Effect of natural curcuminoids‐intercalated layered double hydroxide nanohybrid against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis
Buddhika Gayani, Ayomi Dilhari, Gayan Kanchana Wijesinghe, Sajeewani Kumarage, Gayani Abayaweera, Sameera R Samarakoon, Inoka C Perera, Nilwala Kottegoda, Manjula M Weerasekera. Effect of natural curcuminoids‐intercalated layered double hydroxide nanohybrid against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis: A bactericidal, antibiofilm, and mechanistic study. MicrobiologyOpen. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.723.
Screening of five Sri Lankan endemic plants for anti-cancer effects on breast cancer stem cells isolated from MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines
Umapriyatharshini Rajagopalan, Sameera R Samarakoon, Kamani H Tennekoon, Neelika Malavige, ED de Silva. Screening of five Sri Lankan endemic plants for anti-cancer effects on breast cancer stem cells isolated from MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2018. 17, 9, 1825-1832.
Isolation of cytotoxic triterpenes from the mangrove plant, Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea C.F.Gaertn (Rubiaceae)
Sameera R Samarakoon*, Meran K Ediriweera, Lakshan Wijayabandara, Nisala Fernando, Luxmiga Tharmarajah, Kamani H Tennekoon, Poorna Piyathilaka, Achyut Adhikari. Isolation of cytotoxic triterpenes from the mangrove plant, Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea C.F.Gaertn (Rubiaceae). Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research March 2018; 17 (3): 475-481.
Isolation of a New Sesquiterpene Lactone From Vernonia Zeylanica (L) Less and its Anti-Proliferative Effects in Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Mendis AS, Thabrew MI, Ediriweer MK, Samarakoon SR, Tennekoon KH, Adhikari A, de Silva ED. Isolation of a New Sesquiterpene Lactone From Vernonia Zeylanica (L) Less and its Anti-Proliferative Effects in Breast Cancer Cell Lines. Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry. 2018. Nov 28. doi: 10.2174/1871520619666181128163359.
In vitro assays and techniques utilized in anticancer drug discovery. Journal of Applied Toxicology
Meran Keshawa Ediriweera, Kamani Hemamala Tennekoon, Sameera Ranganath Samarakoon. In vitro assays and techniques utilized in anticancer drug discovery. Journal of Applied Toxicology. 2018 Aug 2. doi: 10.1002/jat.3658.
In vitro assays and techniques utilized in anticancer drug discovery
Ediriweera MK, Tennekoon KH, Samarakoon SR. In vitro assays and techniques utilized in anticancer drug discovery. J Appl Toxicol. 2018;1–34. https://doi. org/10.1002/jat.3658.
Effect of natural curcuminoids-intercalated layered double hydroxide nanohybrid against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis
Nilwala Kottegoda Gayan Kanchana Wijesinghe, Sajeewani Kumarage, Gayani Abayaweera, Sameera R. Samarakoon, Inoka C. Perera, Manjula M. Weerasekera Buddhika Gayani, Ayomi Dilhari. Effect of natural curcuminoids-intercalated layered double hydroxide nanohybrid against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis: A bactericidal, antibiofilm, and mechanistic study. Microbiologyopen. 2018 Sep 17:e00723.
Campnospermenone A, B and C, three new cytotoxic alkyl-hydroxycyclohexenones from Campnosperma zeylanica Thwaites leaves
Ediriweera PMK, Jayarathna PP, Tennekoon KH, Samarakoon SR, , Thabrew I, Karunanayake EH, Adhikari A . Campnospermenone A, B and C, three new cytotoxic alkyl-hydroxycyclohexenones from Campnosperma zeylanica Thwaites leaves. Phytochemistry Letters. 24 (2018) 114-119.
Anti-proliferative activity and apoptotic effects of govaniadine isolated from Corydalis govaniana Wall roots on human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells
Nivethika Sivakumaran, Sameera Ranganath Samarakoon*, Achyut Adhikari, Meran Keshawa Ediriweera, Kamani Hemamala Tennekoon, Neelika Malavige, Ira Thabrew, Ram Lal (Swagat) shrestha. Anti-proliferative activity and apoptotic effects of govaniadine isolated from Corydalis govaniana Wall roots on human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. Biomed Research International. 2018.
Protective Effects of Six Selected Dietary Compounds against Leptin-Induced Proliferation of Oestrogen Receptor Positive (MCF-7) Breast Cancer Cells
Meran Keshawa Ediriweera ,Kamani Hemamala Tennekoon, Sameera Ranganath Samarakoon, Ira Thabrew andE. Dilip de Silva. Protective Effects of Six Selected Dietary Compounds against Leptin-Induced Proliferation of Oestrogen Receptor Positive (MCF-7) Breast Cancer Cells. Medicines 2017, 4(3), 56; doi:10.3390/medicines4030056.
Protective Effect of a Polyherbal Aqueous Extract Comprised of Nigella sativa (Seeds), Hemidesmus indicus(Roots), and Smilax glabra (Rhizome) on Bleomycin Induced Cytogenetic Damage in Human Lymphocytes
Bandula Prasanna Galhena, S. S. R. Samarakoon, Myrtle Ira Thabrew,Solomon F. D. Paul, Venkatachalam Perumal, and Chinnadurai Mani. Protective Effect of a Polyherbal Aqueous Extract Comprised of Nigella sativa (Seeds), Hemidesmus indicus(Roots), and Smilax glabra (Rhizome) on Bleomycin Induced Cytogenetic Damage in Human Lymphocytes. Biomed Research International -2017;1-8.
Oleanolic acid from antifilarial triterpene saponins of dipterocarpus zeylanicus induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in filarial parasite Setaria digitata in vitro
KS Senathilake, EH Karunanayake, SR Samarakoon, KH Tennekoon, ED de Silva, A Adhikari. Oleanolic acid from antifilarial triterpene saponins of dipterocarpus zeylanicus induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in filarial parasite Setaria digitata in vitro. Experimental Parasitology, 2017.177; 13.21.
Isolation of a new resorcinolic lipid from Mangifera zeylanica Hook.f. bark and its cytotoxic and apoptotic potential
Ediriweera PMK, Tennekoon KH, , Samarakoon SR, Adhikari A, Thabrew I, de Silva ED Isolation of a new resorcinolic lipid from Mangifera zeylanica Hook.f. bark and its cytotoxic and apoptotic potential. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy- 2017.89, 194-200.
Induction of Apoptosis in Response to Improved Gedunin by Liposomal Nano-Encapsulation in Human Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NCI-H292) Cell Line
Nwokwu CD, Samarakoon SR*, Karunaratne DN, Pamunuwa KMGK, Katuvawila KANP, Ediriweera MK and Tennekoon KH. Induction of Apoptosis in Response to Improved Gedunin by Liposomal Nano-Encapsulation in Human Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NCI-H292) Cell Line. Tropical Journal of Pharmacutical research – 2017; 16 (9), 2079-2087.
Induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells by Sri Lankanendemic mango (Mangifera zeylanica) fruit peel through oxidative stress and analysis of phytochemical constituents
Meran Keshawa Ediriweera, Kamani Hemamala Tennekoon, Sameera Ranganath Samarakoon, Ira Thabrew, E Dilip de Silva. Induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells by Sri Lankanendemic mango (Mangifera zeylanica) fruit peel through oxidative stress and analysis of phytochemical constituents. Journal of Food Biochemistry– 2017.41;1. doi: 10.1111/jfbc.12294
In vitro anti cancer effect of gedunin on human teratocarcinomal (NTERA-2) cancer stem-like cells
Luxmiga Tharmarajah, Sameera Ranganath Samarakoon*, Meran Keshawa Ediriweera, Poorna Piyathilaka, Kamani Hemamamla Tennekoon, Kanishka Sithira Senathilake, Umapriyatharshini Rajagopalan, Prasanna Bandula Galhena, Ira Thabrew. In vitro anti cancer effect of gedunin on human teratocarcinomal (NTERA–2) cancer stem-like cells. Biomed Research International-2017. Article ID 2413197, 9 pages, 2017. doi:10.1155/2017/2413197.
Chitosan Nano-encapsulation Enhances Gedunin Cytotoxicity A gainst Human Non-small-cell Lung Cancer (NCI-H292) Cell Line.
Chukwumaobim D.U. Nwokwu, Sameera R. Samarakoon, Desiree N. Karunaratne, Nuwanthi P. Katuvawila, Meran K. Ediriweera, Kamani H. Tennekoon. Chitosan Nano-encapsulation Enhances Gedunin Cytotoxicity A gainst Human Non-small-cell Lung Cancer (NCI-H292) Cell Line. Drug Delivery Letters.2017, 7, (3) 219-226.
Anti carcinogenic, and antioxidant f effects of mangrove plant Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea
Samarakoon SR*, Chanthirika S, Ediriweera PMK, Tennekoon KH, Thabrew MI , Piyathilaka MAPC and de Silva ED Anti carcinogenic, and antioxidant f effects of mangrove plant Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea– Pharmacognosy Magazine-2017; Suppl1 S76.
A Study on Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Potential of a Triterpenoid Saponin (3-O--L-Arabinosyl Oleanolic Acid) Isolated from Schumacheria castaneifolia Vahl in Human Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NCI-H292) Cells
Sameera R. Samarakoon*, Meran K. Ediriweera, Chukwumaobim Daniel Uzochukwuwulu Nwokwu, et al., “A Study on Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Potential of a Triterpenoid Saponin (3-O–L-Arabinosyl Oleanolic Acid) Isolated from Schumacheria castaneifolia Vahl in Human Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NCI-H292) Cells,” BioMed Research International, vol. 2017, Article ID 9854083, 8 pages, 2017. doi:10.1155/2017/9854083