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Dr. J S Momo Hmungshel
Senior Scientist
Natural Products & Medicinal Chemistry Division
CSIR – Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu – 180001
Email: hmunsheljasha[dot]iiim[at]csir[dot]res[dot]in
Bio Sketch
Jasha Momo Hmungshel, Ph.D., MRSC, received his Ph.D. in Natural Product Chemistry from the Department of Chemistry, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India 2016. His research interests are Chemistry of Natural Products, Organic Synthesis, Chemical Biology, and Enzymatic Reactions. He also has a keen interest in networking Science with Society. He believes in curiosity-driven chemistry and strives to connect science with societal needs, showing a keen interest in science outreach and societal engagement.
The Natural Product Chemistry field is vital for discovering new drugs and bioactive molecules, advancing drug discovery, and understanding biological mechanisms. It bridges chemistry, biology, and medicine, driving innovation and collaboration across scientific disciplines. Historically, Natural Products (NP) are the foundation of traditional medicines and modern pharmaceuticals. Still, it faces significant complexity, sustainability, and resource authenticity challenges. It involves the exploration, isolation, structural elucidation, biosynthesis, and evaluation of biological activities of natural compounds, as well as the synthesis of complex molecules derived from nature, such as plants, microorganisms, and marine life.
Our group delves into discovering and developing bioactive compounds from medicinal plants and less explored natural sources that address major global health challenges like antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), cancer, infectious diseases, inflammation, and arthritis. NPs are essential starting points for discovering therapeutic indications, novel drugs, and bioactive agents in agriculture and biotechnology. One unique reason is its pharmacophores, which are prevalent in almost 60% of the FDA-approved drugs used as anti-infective, anti-HIV, and anticancer drugs.
Optimization of bioactive compound content and semi-synthetic derivatives strategies
Bioactive compounds—such as alkaloids, polyphenols, and terpenes—are responsible for medicinal plants’ health benefits and pharmacological effects. Optimizing the bioactive compound content in medicinal plants is vital because it ensures maximum therapeutic effectiveness, enhances drug discovery, guarantees product consistency, and supports sustainable and efficient extraction processes. Further, bioactive compound content bridges traditional botanical medicine with modern pharmaceutical innovation, improving health outcomes and sustainability while meeting stringent safety and purity benchmarks and fostering translational science projects to turn natural compounds into regulated phytopharmaceuticals accessible to society for treating chronic diseases.
Rational drug design of Natural Products-based Medicinal Chemistry
From natural sources and developing novel therapeutic agents with the potential to improve healthcare outcomes by harnessing natural molecules with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties sourced sustainably from nature. Rational drug design of natural product-based compounds can potentiate existing therapies by optimizing molecular structures to enhance efficacy, selectivity, safety, and bioavailability, and by creating hybrid molecules and new analogs that work synergistically with current drugs. A few of our selected published research works:
AMR-RELATED STUDIES
ANTICANCER STUDIES
INFLAMMATION AND OTHER STUDIES
EXPLORING INSECT-DERIVED NATURAL PRODUCTS FOR DRUG DISCOVERY
Education
| Degree | Subjects | University | Qualifying Year |
| PhD | Natural Product Chemistry | North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, India | 2016 |
| M.Sc. | Chemistry/Organic Chemistry | NEHU, Shillong, India | 2007 |
| BSc. (Hons.) | Chemistry (Hons.), Biochemistry, Zoology | NEHU, Shillong, India | 2005 |
Position Held
| Position Held | Period | Organization |
| Senior Scientist | 30.07.2024 – till date | CSIR-IIIM, Jammu |
| Scientist | 30.07.2020 – 29.07.2024 | CSIR-IIIM, Jammu |
| STA | 30th November, 2011-21st July, 2020 | Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong – 793022, Meghalaya, India |
Area of Expertise
- Natural Product Isolation & Purification Techniques| Organic synthesis |Chemical Modifications of Natural Products | Application of Hyphenated Techniques in Natural Product-based Drug Development
Projects
| Project | Funding Agency | Role |
|
Towards the discovery and development of novel drugs and pharmaceuticals |
Ministry of Earth Science, Govt. of India, New Delhi | Team Member |
|
Diving into the deep ocean sea mounts for biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and mining of genetically encoded metabolites (GEMs) using a Combined OMICS approach |
Ministry of Earth Science, Govt. of India, New Delhi | Co-PI & Project In-charge, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu |
|
Optimization of ursolic content in Lavender Marc and its semi-derivatives for anti inflammatory and anti-arthritic potential |
CSIR, New Delhi | PI |
|
Phytopharmaceutical Development of Ficus semicordata Buch. -Ham. Ex Sm. as per regulatory guidelines of DCGI (under the phytopharmaceutical Mission for North East Region) [GAP2180] -completed |
DBT, New Delhi | Co-ordinator & PI |
|
CSIR-Aroma Mission Phase 2 & 3 (HCP-007) |
CSIR, New Delhi | Co-PI |
| High-End workshop (KARYASHALA) on Hands-on Workshop on Advanced Techniques in Natural Products & Medicinal Chemistry (2021-2022) | SERB, DST, New Delhi | Event Organiser |
Publications
| Authors | Title | Journal |
| Puneet Kumar, Kotra T, Lone WI, Arfath Y, Tiwari H, Shukla AK, Ahmed Z, Rayees S, and Jasha Momo H Anal* | Design, synthesis, and antiproliferative activity of novel colchicine derivatives: selective inhibition of melanoma cell proliferation | Front. Pharmacol. (2025) 16:1528235. doi: 10.3389/fphar.. 2025.1528235. |
| Rongpipi, Monjuly, Samson Lalhmangaihzuala, Jasha Momo H. Anal, Sanjay Basumatary, Amarajothi Dhakshinamoorthy, and Samuel Lalthazuala Rokhum. | A Review on Metal–Organic Frameworks as Catalytic Materials for Oxidation Reactions | Chemistry–An Asian Journal (2025): e70227. |
| Puneet Kumar, Kanhaiya Kumar, and Jasha Momo H. Anal* | Isolation, Pharmacological Properties, Chemical Syntheses, and Biosynthesis of Isobavachalcone (IBC): A Historical Perspective for the Future Direction. | Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry (2025). |
| Choudhary, Rupali, Puneet Kumar, Sanket K. Shukla, Asha Bhagat, Jasha Momo H. Anal,* Gurleen Kour, and Zabeer Ahmed. | Synthesis and potential anti-inflammatory response of indole and amide derivatives of ursolic acid in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and systemic inflammation mice model: Insights into iNOS, COX2, and NF-κB | Bioorganic Chemistry 155 (2025): 108091. |
| Jasha Momo H. Anal,* Lobeno Mozhui, and Samuel Lalthazuala Rokhum. | Unveiling the therapeutic potential of insect-derived natural products for drug discovery | Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 11, no. 1 (2025): 2. |
| Kumar, Puneet, Sapna Saini, Anjali Gangwar, Rashmi Sharma, and Jasha Momo H. Anal* | Antibacterial activity of structurally diverse natural prenylated isobavachalcone derivatives | RSC Advances 14, no. 45 (2024): 32771-32785 |
| Shahi, Ashutosh, Rakshit Manhas, Srija Bhattacharya, Arti Rathore, Puneet Kumar, Jayanta Samanta, Manish Kumar Sharma, Avisek Mahapa, Prasoon Gupta, and Jasha Momo H. Anal* | Synthesis and antibacterial potential of novel thymol derivatives against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and P. aeruginosa pathogenic bacteria | Frontiers in Chemistry 12 (2024): 1482852. |
| Vanlalveni, Chhangte, Vanlalhruaii Ralte, Hlawncheu Zohmingliana, Shikhasmita Das, Jasha Momo H. Anal, Samuel Lallianrawna, and Samuel Lalthazuala Rokhum. | A review of microbes-mediated biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and their enhanced antimicrobial activities | Heliyon 10, no. 11, e32333 (2024). |
| Lone, Waseem Iqbal, Jagdish Chand, Puneet Kumar, Yashi Garg, Zabeer Ahmed, Debaraj Mukherjee, Anindya Goswami, and Jasha Momo H. Anal* | Discovery of colchicine aryne cycloadduct as a potent molecule for the abrogation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition via modulating cell cycle regulatory CDK-2 and CDK-4 kinases in breast cancer cells |
Bioorganic Chemistry, Volume 150 (2024): 107581. |
| Kumar, Puneet, Ruhi Singh, Deepak Sharma, Qazi Parvaiz Hassan, Boobalan Gopu, and Jasha Momo H. Anal* | Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of chalcone acetamide derivatives against triple-negative breast cancer | Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 107 (2024): 129795. |
| Hlawncheu Zohmingliana, Joseph V. L. Ruatpuia, Jasha Momo H. Anal, Feng Chai, Gopinath Halder, Amarajothi Dhakshinamoorthy | Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Solid Catalyst for Biodiesel Production from Jatropha curcas Oil: Kinetic Study and Process Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology | International Journal of Energy Research, vol. 2024, Article ID 6336617, pp.1-16 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/6336617 |
|
Kyndiah L, Sarkar FK, Gajurel S, Sarkar R, Jasha Momo H. Anal, AK Pal |
Pd@GO catalyzed stereo- and regio-selective addition of arenes to alkynes and synthesis of coumarins via C–H functionalization | Org. Biomol. Chem., 21, 7928-7934 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1039/D3OB01237A |
| Mohd Hassan, Jasha Momo H. Anal, Ravail Singh | Comprehensive analysis of codon usage pattern in Eisenia fetida and its correlation with gene expression | Biocatal. Agric. Biotechnol.,52, 102810 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcab.2023.102810 |
| Das, Shikhasmita, Jasha Momo H. Anal, Pranjal Kalita, Lakshi Saikia, and Samuel Lalthazuala Rokhum. | Process optimization of biodiesel production using waste snail shell as a highly active nanocatalyst | International Journal of Energy Research 2023, no. 1 (2023): 6676844. |
|
Samridhi Sharma, Monu Kumar Shukla, Krishan Chander Sharma, Tirath, Lokender Kumar, Jasha Momo H. Anal, Santosh Kumar Upadhyay, Sanjib Bhattacharyya, Deepak Kumar |
Revisiting the therapeutic potential of gingerols against different pharmacological activities |
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol (2022). |
|
Gouda, S.P.; Jasha Momo H. Anal; Kumar, P.; Dhakshinamoorthy, A.; Rashid, U.; S.L.Rokhum |
Microwave-Assisted Biodiesel Production Using UiO-66 MOF Derived Nanocatalyst: Process Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology |
Catalysts 2022, 12, 1312. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12111312. |
| Fillip Kumar Sarkar, Ajay Gupta, Ramen Jamatia, Jasha Momo H Anal, Amarta Kumar Pal | A green and sustainable approach for the synthesis of 1, 5-benzodiazepines and spirooxindoles in one pot using a MIL-101 (Cr) metal-organic framework as a reusable catalyst |
New Journal of Chemistry, 45, pp.19553-19564 (2021). |
| Bishwajit Changmai, Gunindra Pathak, Jasha Momo H Anal, and Lalthazuala Rokhum | Heterogeneous system in organic synthesis |
Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry, Volume 17; pp.740 – 753 (2020). |
| Jasha Momo H. Anal, O. Sanentiba Ozukum, S. Willson Monsang, Ghanashyam Bez Donkupar Syiem. | Comparison of the cyclic voltammetry (CV) and bio-assays to determine antioxidant Capacity from different extracts of Potentilla fulgens L. | Trends in Experimental Biology, Volume 3, pp.50-60 (2018). |
| Diparjun Das, Gunindra Pathak, Jasha Momo H. Anal, Lalthazuala Rokhum | Polymer Supported Triphenylphosphine-Methyl acrylate Complex: An Efficient Catalyst for the Selective Iodination of Alcohols |
Current Applied Polymer Science, 1, 63-71(2017). |
| Diparjun Das, Jasha Momo H Anal and Lalthazuala Rokhum | A mild and highly Chemoselective iodination of alcohol using polymer-supported DMAP | Journal of Chemical Science, Vol. 128, No. 11, pp. 1695–170 (2016). |
| Jasha Momo H. Anal and Petevino Chase | Trace elements analysis in some medicinal plants using Graphite Furnace-Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy |
Environmental Engineering Research, 21(3): pp.247-255 (2016). |
| Jasha Momo H. Anal, Rabiya Majeed, Ghanashyam Bez, Donkupar Syiem, Abid Hamid, and Ajit K. Saxena | In vitro cytotoxicity of the polar extracts of Potentilla fulgens L. against human cancer cell lines: Detection and isolation of bioactive phenolics | Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 6(9): pp.89-95(2014). |
| E. Dkhar, Paul S. Dkhar, and Jasha Momo H. Anal* | Trace Elements Analysis in Drinking Water of Meghalaya by Using Graphite Furnace-Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and in relation to Environmental and Health Issues. | Journal of Chemistry Volume 2014, Article ID 975810,(2014). |
| Jasha Momo H. Anal* | Trace and Essential Elements Analysis in Cymbopogon citrates (DC.) Stapf Samples by Graphite Furnace-Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Its Health Concern. | Journal of Toxicology, Volume 2014, Article ID 690758 (2014). |
| Pranjal P. Bora, Ghanashyam Bez, Jasha Momo H. Anal | First example of hydrolytic kinetic resolution of acrylate of secondary alcohols by lipase Amano AK. | Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic 72, pp. 270– 275 (2011). |
Patents
- Process for Producing Fermented Turmeric and Formulation with Selaginella Bryopteris using Fermentation [Indian Patent file]
Awards and Honours
Memberships:
- Life Member, Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI)
- Annual Member, Indian Science Congress Association, Kolkata, India.
- Life Member, Electron Microscopy Society of India, Kolkata, India.
- Affiliate Member, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).
- Member, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), London.
- Member, American Chemical Society (ACS), Washington, D.C.
Awards and Distinctions:
- IUPAC Travel grant to attend IUPAC General Assembly & Conference, Paris, 2019
- DST-SERB Young Scientist International Travel Scheme (ITS) Grant by Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India (2012).
- DST-FIST-NER visiting fellowship to a Ph.D. student by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India (2010-2011).
- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) qualified in Chemical Sciences, March, 2009 conducted by IIT, Roorkee.
Students
| Photo | Name | Area of Interest | Position |
 |
Deepak Sharma M. Sc in Organic Chemistry (Cluster University of Jammu) |
Optimization of Bioactive Natural Products, Extraction & Isolation Techniques | Project Associate-I (CSIR SEED Grant) |
 |
Mir Aaqib Yosuf M. Sc in Organic Chemistry (Cluster University of Srinagar) |
Towards the discovery and development of novel drugs and pharmaceuticals | Project Associate-I, Deep Ocean Mission (DOM), the Ministry of Earth Sciences |
 |
Sandeep Bindra M.Pharma in Medicinal Chemistry (Amrita School of Pharmacy, Cochin, Kerala) |
Extraction & isolation, medicinal chemistry of Bioactive Natural Products and chemotaxonomy analysis of marine organisms | Project Associate-I, DOM project funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences |
 |
Ambika M MSc in Chemistry (NIT Calicut, Kerela) |
Value addition & formulation of Natural Products from Marc; Medicinal Chemistry |
Project Associate-I, AROMA Mission Phase-3 |
Alumni (PhD student):
| Name | Ph.D thesis title | Present address & Position |
|
Puneet Kumar |
Isolation of prenylated natural products and structure diversification for their biological importance | PhD awarded (June 2025) |
PhD Positions Available:
PhD positions are available for CSIR/UGC-NET Fellowships and DST-INSPIRE Fellows. Candidates should be highly motivated or curiosity-driven to venture into the Chemistry of Natural Products/Medicinal Chemistry/Chemical Biology. Foreign candidates can also apply through CSIR-TWAS fellowships or any other relevant grants.
Postdoctoral positions are available for PDF or any other funded postdoctoral fellowships.
Interested candidates are encouraged to send their CVs directly to the following email ID: hmunsheljasha.iiim@csir.res.in/hmunsjasha@gmail.com
