| Full Time Faculty Professor PhD, University of Heidelberg, Germany MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh Bachelor of Pharmacy, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh Phone: +880-2-55668200 Ext: 1971 |
Dr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman is a Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at North South University (NSU), bringing over 17 years of academic and research experience in neuroscience and pharmaceutical sciences. He earned his Doctor of Science (Dr. rer. nat.) in Neuroscience from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, following a stellar academic record at Jahangirnagar University, where he graduated first in class in both his Bachelor of Pharmacy and MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences. A recipient of the ERASMUS MUNDUS Ph.D. scholarship, Dr. Rahman has also been recognized with prestigious honors such as the Merck Bangladesh Life Science Award (2021) and the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Research Grant. His academic career spans institutions in both Bangladesh and Europe, including a part-time lectureship at the University of Lübeck, Germany.
Dr. Rahman’s research focuses on neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disorders, particularly the molecular mechanisms of cerebral ischemia, Parkinson’s disease, autism spectrum disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease. With an h-index of 21 and more than 3,377 citations, he is a leading neuroscience researcher in Bangladesh. His extensive publication record includes articles in top-tier journals such as Nature Communications, Journal of Clinical Investigation, Life Sciences, Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, and Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. Employing sophisticated methods like stroke induction in animal models, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and RT-PCR, Dr. Rahman leads several translational research projects funded by TWAS, the Ministry of Education, and North South University.
Beyond his research accomplishments, Dr. Rahman plays an active role in academic leadership and institutional development. He served as Chairman of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2023–2024) and currently chairs the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). He is also a member of NSU’s Institutional Review Board and previously served as the Coordinator for Professional Development at the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC). Committed to academic excellence, he continues to mentor future scientists while fostering a research-driven learning environment at NSU.
List of Publications
2025
2024
2023
2020
8. Shariare MH, Rahman M, Lubna SR, Roy RS, Abedin J, Marzan AL, Altamimi MA, Ahamad SR, Ahmad A, Alanazi FK (2020) Liposomal drug delivery of Aphanamixis polystachya leaf extracts and its neurobehavioral activity in mice model. Scientific Reports 10:1-16.
9. Rahman MM, Chakraborti RR, Potol MA, Abir A.H., Sharmin O, Alam M, Khan M.F.R., Afrin R, Jannat H, Wadud R (2020) Epalrestat improves motor symptoms by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the reserpine induced mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. Animal Models and Experimental Medicine 3:9-21.
2019
10. Shariare MH, Altamimi MA, Marzan AL, Tabassum R, Jahan B, Reza HM, Rahman M, Ahsan GU, Kazi M (2019) In vitro dissolution and bioavailability study of furosemide nanosuspension prepared using design of experiment (DoE). Saudi pharmaceutical journal : S.P.J.: the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society 27:96-105.
2017
11. Rushmi ZT, Akter N, Mow RJ, Afroz M, Kazi M, de Matas M, Rahman M, Shariare MH. The impact of formulation attributes and process parameters on black seed oil loaded liposomes and their performance in animal models of analgesia. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal. 2017 Mar 1;25(3):404-12.
12. Al Mamun A, Hossain M, Uddin MS, Islam MT, Hossain S, Hossain MS, Hossain MF, Sujan AR, Rashid M, Rahman MM, Rahman AT. Comparison of the Hypoglycemic, Hypolipidemic and Hepatoprotective Effects of Asparagus racemosus Linn. in Combination with Gliclazide and Pioglitazone on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats. Pharmacology & Pharmacy. 2017 Feb 13;8(02):52.
2016
13. Maysami S, Wong R, Pradillo JM, Denes A, Dhungana H, Malm T, Koistinaho J, Orset C, Rahman M, Rubio M, Schwaninger M. A cross-laboratory preclinical study on the effectiveness of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in Stroke. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism. 2016 Mar;36(3):596-605.
14. Al-Amin MM, Sultana R, Sultana S, Rahman MM, Reza HM. Astaxanthin ameliorates prenatal LPS-exposed behavioral deficits and oxidative stress in adult offspring. B.M.C. neuroscience. 2016 Dec;17(1):11.
15. Alam MA, Subhan N, Hossain H, Hossain M, Reza HM, Rahman MM, Ullah MO. Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives: a potential class of natural compounds for the management of lipid metabolism and obesity. Nutrition & metabolism. 2016 Dec;13(1):27.
16. Reza HM, Tabassum N, Sagor MA, Chowdhury MR, Rahman M, Jain P, Alam MA. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor prevents oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis in carbon tetrachloride-treated rat liver. Toxicology mechanisms and methods. 2016 Jan 2;26(1):46-53.
2015
17. Sagor AT, Chowdhury MR, Tabassum N, Hossain H, Rahman MM, Alam MA. Supplementation of fresh ucche (Momordica charantia L. var. muricata Willd) prevented oxidative stress, fibrosis and hepatic damage in CCl 4 treated rats. B.M.C. complementary and alternative medicine. 2015 Dec;15(1):115.
18. Al-Amin MM, Rahman MM, Khan FR, Zaman F, Reza HM. Astaxanthin improves behavioral disorder and oxidative stress in prenatal valproic acid-induced mice model of autism. Behavioural brain research. 2015 Jun 1;286:112-21.
19. Alam MA, Uddin R, Subhan N, Rahman MM, Jain P, Reza HM. Beneficial role of bitter melon supplementation in obesity and related complications in metabolic syndrome. Journal of lipids. 2015;2015.
2014
20. Rahman M, Muhammad S, Khan MA, Chen H, Ridder DA, Müller-Fielitz H, Pokorná B, Vollbrandt T, Stölting I, Nadrowitz R, Okun JG. The β-hydroxybutyrate receptor H.C.A. 2 activates a neuroprotective subset of macrophages. Nature communications. 2014 May 21;5:3944
21. Heinonen AM, Rahman M, Dogbevia G, Jakobi H, Wölfl S, Sprengel R, Schwaninger M. Neuroprotection by rAAV-mediated gene transfer of bone morphogenic protein 7. B.M.C. neuroscience. 2014 Dec;15(1):38.
22. Chen H, Assmann JC, Krenz A, Rahman M, Grimm M, Karsten CM, Köhl J, Offermanns S, Wettschureck N, Schwaninger M. Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 mediates dimethyl fumarate’s protective effect in E.A.E. The Journal of clinical investigation. 2014 May 1;124(5):2188-92.
23. Al-Amin MM, Hasan SN, Alam T, Hasan AT, Hossain I, Didar RR, Alam MA, Rahman MM. Tadalafil enhances working memory, and reduces hippocampal oxidative stress in both young and aged mice. European journal of pharmacology. 2014 Dec 15;745:84-90.
24. Alam MA, Rahman MM. Mitochondrial dysfunction in obesity: potential benefit and mechanism of Co-enzyme Q10 supplementation in metabolic syndrome. Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders. 2014 Dec;13(1):60.
25. Alam MA, Subhan N, Rahman MM, Uddin SJ, Reza HM, Sarker SD. Effect of citrus flavonoids, naringin and naringenin, on metabolic syndrome and their mechanisms of action. Advances in Nutrition. 2014 Jul 7;5(4):404-17.
2013
26. Rosell A, Agin V, Rahman M, Morancho A, Ali C, Koistinaho J, Wang X, Vivien D, Schwaninger M, Montaner J. Distal occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in mice: are we ready to assess long-term functional outcome? Translational stroke research. 2013 Jun 1;4(3):297-307.
27. Mc Guire C, Rahman M, Schwaninger M, Beyaert R, van Loo G. The ubiquitin editing enzyme A20 (TNFAIP3) is upregulated during permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion but does not influence disease outcome. Cell death & disease. 2013 Mar;4(3):e531.
28. Al-Amin MM, Uddin MM, Rahman MM, Reza HM, Rana MS. Effect of diclofenac and antidepressants on the inflammatory response in astrocyte cell culture. Inflammopharmacology. 2013 Dec 1;21(6):421-5.
29. Rahman M. Induction of a neuroprotective phenotype of macrophages by the β-hydroxybutyrate receptor HCA2 (Doctoral dissertation, University of Heidelberg press).
2012
30. Bargiotas P, Muhammad S, Rahman M, Jakob N, Trabold R, Fuchs E, Schilling L, Plesnila N, Monyer H, Schwaninger M. Connexin 36 promotes cortical spreading depolarization and ischemic brain damage. Brain research. 2012 Oct 15;1479:80-5.
2011
31. Subhan N, Habibur R, Ashraful A, Rashedul I, Mahbubur R. Relationship between protein-binding and free drug concentrations of a sparingly water-soluble selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (escitalopram) and its interaction with arsenic. Rom. J. Biophys. 2011;21(2):139-49.
2010
32. Zulfiker AH, Ripa FA, Rahman MM, Ullah MO, Hamid K, Khan MM, Rana MS. Antidiabetic and antioxidant effect of Scoparia dulcis in alloxan induced albino mice. International Journal of PharmTech Research. 2010 Jan 1;2(4):2527-34.
33. Zulfiker AH, Rahman MM, Hossain MK, Hamid K, Mazumder ME, Rana MS. In vivo analgesic activity of ethanolic extracts of two medicinal plants-Scoparia dulcis L. and Ficus racemosa Linn. Biol Med. 2010;2(2):42-8.
North South University CTRG Grant 2024
Grant amount: USD 6,115 (BDT 750,000)
Role: Principal Investigator
North South University CTRG Grant 2022
Grant amount: USD 4,237 (BDT 500,000)
Role: Principal Investigator
North South University CTRG Grant 2022
Grant amount: USD 2,966 (BDT 350,000)
Role: Principal Investigator
North South University CTRG Grant 2022
Grant amount: USD 4,237 (BDT 500,000)
Role: Principal Investigator
North South University CTRG Grant 2022
Grant amount: USD 4,237 (BDT 500,000)
Role: Principal Investigator
Grant amount: USD 12,100
Role: Principal Investigator
Jahangirnagar University Undergraduate Scholarship
Highest academic results in B.Pharm (Honors)
Doctor of Science (PhD), Neuropharmacology, University of Heidelberg, Germany, 17th September, 2013
MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh,
1st Class and 1st Position.
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons.), Department of Pharmacy, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh,
1st Class and 1st Position.
Higher Secondary Certificate (H.S.C. equivalent to 12th grade), Dhaka College, Dhaka Board, Bangladesh,
First division*
Secondary School Certificate (S.S.C. equivalent to 10th grade), Naogaon K.D Govt. High School, Rajshahi Board, Bangladesh, First division*
2023 – Present
Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
North South University (NSU), Dhaka, Bangladesh
2023 – 2024
Chairman, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
North South University (NSU), Dhaka, Bangladesh
2018 – 2023
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
North South University (NSU), Dhaka, Bangladesh
2014 – 2018
Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
North South University (NSU), Dhaka, Bangladesh
2013 – 2014
Assistant Professor (Part-time), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
North South University (NSU), Dhaka, Bangladesh
2011 – 2013
Lecturer (Part-time), Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Clinical Toxicology
University of Lübeck, Germany
2007 – 2009
Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy
Northern University Bangladesh
2006-2007, Production Pharmacist, Eskayef Bangladesh Limited
Advanced Pharmacology II
Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy III
Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy IV
Human Physiology II
Chairman, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
North South University
Neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the onset and progression of numerous neurological disorders, including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Chronic activation of immune responses within the central nervous system (CNS) has been increasingly linked to neuronal dysfunction, synaptic impairment, and long-term neurodegeneration. Understanding these complex inflammatory mechanisms is essential to developing targeted therapies for brain disorders.
Our research focuses on decoding the molecular and cellular pathways that drive neuroinflammation and its impact on neuronal survival and plasticity. Using animal models of cerebral ischemia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and ASD, we investigate signaling cascades such as MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt/GSK3β, and the roles of neuroimmune interactions in disease progression. We use techniques such as stroke surgery in mice, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, real-time RT-PCR, and sensory motor behavior analysis. Additionally, we explore the therapeutic potential of small molecules, natural compounds, and receptor modulators to mitigate neuroinflammatory responses. Our ultimate goal is to translate these findings into novel strategies for preventing and treating debilitating brain disorders.