Dragan Milenkovic

Bio

Dr. Dragan Milenkovic’s research aims to demonstrate the health effects of polyphenols and polyphenol-rich foods on vascular function and prevention of cardiovascular, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, together with identification of underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of actions using multi-genomic (epigenetics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics together with in-silico docking studies to evaluate interaction between polyphenol metabolites and cell signalling proteins) and bioinformatic approaches. The system biology approach developed also aims to identify variability in responsiveness to intake of these micronutrients and identify factors involved, such as gender, age, health status or genetic polymorphism, for precise nutrition. His projects use translational research approach involving in-vitro studies, animal models and clinical trials.

Publications

• Argan Fruit Polyphenols Regulate Lipid Homeostasis, Prevent Liver Fat Accumulation, and Improve Antioxidant Defense in High-Calorie Diet Fed Mice: In Vivo Study and In Silico Prediction of Possible Underlying Mechanisms , METABOLITES (2025)
• Extended recommendations on the nomenclature for microbial catabolites of dietary (poly)phenols, with a focus on isomers , FOOD & FUNCTION (2025)
• Plant Polyphenols as Heart's Best Friends: From Health Properties, to Cellular Effects, to Molecular Mechanisms of Action , INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES (2025)
• Juniperus oxycedrus L. fruit, leaves, and essential oil: a systematic literature review on bioactive compounds, pharmacological properties and toxicology , PHYTOCHEMISTRY REVIEWS (2024)
• Effects of Cynara scolymus L. Bract Extract on Lipid Metabolism Disorders Through Modulation of HMG-CoA Reductase, Apo A-1, PCSK-9, p-AMPK, SREBP-2, and CYP2E1 Expression , METABOLITES (2024)
• Gene expression analysis reveals diabetes-related gene signatures , Human Genomics (2024)
• How cy pres promotes transdisciplinary convergence science: an academic health center for women’s cardiovascular and brain health , Journal of Clinical and Translational Science (2024)
• Integrated Analysis of Genomic and Genome-Wide Association Studies Identified Candidate Genes for Nutrigenetic Studies in Flavonoids and Vascular Health: Path to Precision Nutrition for (Poly)phenols , Nutrients (2024)
• Lemon Flavonoid Extract Eriomin Improves Pro/Antioxidant Status and Interferes with Cholesterol Metabolism without Affecting Serum Cholesterol Levels in Aged Rats , International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024)
• Lemon extract reduces the hepatic oxidative stress and persulfidation levels by upregulating the Nrf2 and Trx1 expression in old rats , BioFactors (2024)