Specialization:
(Pharmacognostical analysis, Ethnobotany, Phytomedicine, Phytochemistry, Metabolomics, Secondary metabolite analysis, Manipulation of secondary metabolites through plant tissue culture techniques)
Publications:
Sahu N, Singh N, Arya KR, Reddy SS, Rai AK, Shukla V, Pandey J, Narender T, Tamrakar AK, Kumar B, Rajak BK, and Malik S* published the article "Assessment of the Dual Role of Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall.) Drude in Inhibiting AGEs Products and Enhancing GLUT-4 Translocation through LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS Determination and In Silico Studies" in Frontiers in Pharmacology, Volume 14, Page 1073327, in the year 2023.
Sahu N, Meena S, Shukla V, Chaturvedi P, Kumar B, Datta D, and Arya K. R.* published "Extraction, Fractionation, and Refractionation of Artemisia nilagirica for Anticancer Activity and HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS Determination" in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 213, Pages 72-80, in 2018.
Sahu N, Tripathi K, Kanojia S, and Arya K. R.* published "Vegetative Propagation and Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) Analysis of Indian Traditional and Endangered Plant Ulmus wallichiana Using Air Layering Technology" in Indian Forester, Volume 144 (8), Pages 723-729, in 2018.
Sahu N and Arya K. R.* published "Ethnobotanical and Ethnopharmacological Activities of Artemisia nilagirica, Lyonia ovalifolia, Sarcococca saligna, and Taraxacum officinale" in International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Res.), Volume 8(11), Pages 4818-4825, in 2017.
Sahu N, Saba I, Khatoon S, and Arya K. R.* published "Macro-Microscopic and LCMS Markers for Identification and Authentication of Herbal Formulations of Taraxacum officinale and Launaea procumbens" in International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 8 (3), Pages 304-313, in 2017.
Book chapters
Integrated Pathy – Challenges, recent notions, and advances in the Indian traditional medicinal system and governance by Sumit Kumar Singh, Neha Sahu, Prashant Katiyar, and Ved Priya Arya. Published by Elsevier. Proofread submitted for 2025.
Salmonella Biofilms: Formation, Resistance and Therapeutics – Phytochemical-based drugs for Salmonella biofilm disruption by Neha Sahu and Prabhat Upadhyay. Published by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Proofread submitted for 2025.
Emerging Contaminants – Perchlorate stress in plants: insights into growth and physiological consequences by Neha Sahu and Arpna Kumari. Published by Woodhead Publishing on January 1, 2024 (pp. 291-305). ISBN: 978-0-443-18985-2, B978-0-443-18985-2.00002-X.
Nano-Bioremediation for Water and Soil Treatment: An Eco-Friendly Approach – New Dimensions into the Removal of Pesticides Using an Innovative Eco-Friendly Technique: Nano-remediation by Arpna Kumari, Sneh Rajput, Shiv Vendra Singh, Gauri Sharma, Anton Zhumbei, Vishnu D. Rajput, Saglara S. Mandzhieva, Tatiana M. Minkina, Neha Sahu, Anuj Ranjan, Svetlana N. Sushkova, and Rajinder Kaur. Published by Apple Academic Press (AAP) in May 2024 (pp. 211-235). E-BOOK ISBN: 9781003414964.
Nutritional Neurosciences – Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids from Gut Microbiota in Neuroendocrine Pathogenesis Management in Gut Microbiome in Neurological Health and Disorders, edited by Tripathi, A.K., and Kotak, M. by Neha Sahu, Prabhat Upadhyay, and Sunil Kumar Mishra. Published by Springer in 2022 (pp. 139–151).
Research Work in the Last Ten Years: (a) Research Work Details (Limit: 2 Pages)
A. Improved Public Health
We have worked on ethnobotanical survey, identification and validation of bioactive compounds in traditional medicinal plants like Lyonia ovalifolia, Artemisia nilagirica, and Taraxacum officinale, Sarcococca saligna which through our research proved to be natural, safer therapeutic options for managing chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer, contributing to better health outcomes.
B. Conservation of Medicinal Plant Resources
We have developed propagation techniques for the endangered species Ulmus wallichiana, a traditional bone-healing plant explored by CSIR CDRI for its potential anti-osteoporotic properties. Our team focused on the conservation, promoting its phytodiversity, and ensures sustainable utilization of this valuable medicinal resource.
C. Bridging Traditional and Modern Medicine
Scientific validation of ethnobotanical practices strengthens the integration of traditional knowledge with modern healthcare systems, preserving cultural heritage while enhancing therapeutic efficacy and safety. Therefore, our team has done extensive ethnobotanical survey to preserve the folklore knowledge in Uttarakhand region.
D. Advancing Gut and Brain Health
Our team have worked on investigating the role of gut microbiota and dietary fibred derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in neurological disorders which pave the way for innovative treatments, improving mental health and overall well-being.
E. Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance
Research on phytochemical-based strategies for disrupting bacterial biofilms, such as those of Salmonella, helps combat the global health threat of antimicrobial resistance. The review has revealed that essential oil specially thymol is the best candidate to disrupt the salmonella biofilm.
F. Eco-Friendly Innovations in Environmental Health
Development of eco-friendly technologies, such as nano-remediation for pesticide removal, promotes environmental sustainability and cleaner water and soil, benefiting communities and agriculture.
G. Economic Benefits Through Phytopharmaceutical Development
Optimization of bioactive compound production and the creation of commercially viable formulations support the growth of the herbal pharmaceutical industry, generating employment and boosting the economy. Currently our work is focused on the standardization of biotic and abiotic parameters for the enrichment of bioactive metabolite in medicinal plants such as bone healing plant i.e. Cassia occidentalis, C. floribunda etc.
H. Community Empowerment Through Knowledge and Awareness
Dissemination of research findings empowers communities to adopt sustainable practices, use natural remedies, and make informed choices for health and environmental stewardship. Our team is working on knowledge dissemination of Ulmus wallichiana in Uttarakhand region so as to preserve this endangered plant.
Contributions to National, State & Public Interest Research:
National, State & Public Interest Research
Our team has successfully achieved the vegetative propagation and acclimatization of the endangered traditional medicinal plant, Himalayan Elm (Ulmus wallichiana), native to the state of Uttarakhand, in the plains of Lucknow using traditional air layering techniques (Sahu et al. 2018). This represents a significant step in the conservation of India’s endangered flora. This plant has been found active against osteoporosis and its novel bioactive compound GTDF, isolated from the bark of U. wallichiana has been licensed to a US company. This vegetative propagation aids in the preservation of a species crucial for traditional medicine and biodiversity, aligning with India’s national goals of conserving ecological heritage and promoting sustainable development. Additionally, using advanced LCMS analysis for phytochemical profiling ensures that the medicinal value of the plant is documented and preserved for future pharmacological applications, benefiting the national healthcare and research sectors (Sahu et al. 2018).
State Contribution:
By acclimatizing Ulmus wallichiana in the CSIR-CDRI campus in Lucknow, this research has enhanced the state’s biodiversity and demonstrated the viability of conserving endangered Himalayan species in non-native environments. This achievement strengthens Uttar Pradesh's position as a hub for botanical research and conservation, fostering the state’s efforts to integrate traditional knowledge with modern scientific practices. Moreover, it sets an example for sustainable practices that can be adopted by other regions for the conservation of endangered plants.