Dragan Milenkovic

About

Dr. Dragan Milenkovic is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences at North Carolina State University. His research focuses on demonstrating the health effects of polyphenols and polyphenol-rich foods on vascular function and the prevention of cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases. He employs multi-genomic approaches, including epigenetics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, along with in-silico docking studies to evaluate interactions between polyphenol metabolites and cell signaling proteins. His system biology approach aims to identify variability in responsiveness to micronutrient intake, considering factors such as gender, age, health status, and genetic polymorphism, to advance precise nutrition. His projects utilize translational research involving in-vitro studies, animal models, and clinical trials.

Research topics

• Political Science
• Computer Science
• Computer Security
• Botany
• Biochemistry
• Psychology
• Social psychology
• Biology
• Library science
• Food science

Selected publications

• Plant Polyphenols as Heart’s Best Friends: From Health Properties, to Cellular Effects, to Molecular Mechanisms of Action

  International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2025-01-22 · 19 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior author

  Polyphenols are micronutrients found in fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee, cocoa, medicinal herbs, fish, crustaceans, and algae. They can also be synthesized using recombinant microorganisms. Interest in plant-derived natural compounds has grown due to their potential therapeutic effects with minimal side effects. This is particularly important as the aging population faces increasing rates of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders. Studies…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Extended recommendations on the nomenclature for microbial catabolites of dietary (poly)phenols, with a focus on isomers

  Food & Function · 2025-01-01 · 9 citations

  reviewOpen access

  , 1051-1068, DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa204), by providing additional structures, and addressing the difficulties that can arise when investigating regioisomers and stereoisomers, where subtle differences in structure can have a substantial impact on bioactivity. The information provided will help to better harmonize the literature, facilitate data retrieval and provide a reference for researchers in several fields, especially nutrition and biochemistry.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Citrus flavonoid supplement enhances glycemic and metabolic control in prediabetic patients on metformin: a randomized controlled trial

  Frontiers in Nutrition · 2025-08-19 · 5 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Background and objective Combining natural compounds with conventional drugs is an emerging strategy to improve the management of type 2 diabetes and its precursor, prediabetes. While metformin effectively lowers blood glucose and improves insulin sensitivity, it may cause side effects or lose efficacy over time. Natural agents, particularly polyphenols, are being explored as adjunct therapies to enhance glycemic control, mitigate adverse effects, and slow disease progression. This study evaluat…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• 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 · 2024-12-23 · 5 citations

  articleOpen access

  Background/Objectives: Hyperlipidemia is a major contributor to metabolic complications and tissue damage, leading to conditions such as liver steatosis, atherosclerosis, and obesity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of aqueous artichoke bract extract (AE) on lipid metabolism, liver antioxidative defense, and liver steatosis in mice fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet while elucidating the underlying mechanisms. Methods: An 8-week study used hyperlipidemic mice treated with AE at daily…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Juniperus oxycedrus L. fruit, leaves, and essential oil: a systematic literature review on bioactive compounds, pharmacological properties and toxicology

  Phytochemistry Reviews · 2024-12-28 · 4 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Christine Morand

  Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne

  2714 shared

• Ana Rodriguez‐Mateos

  King's College London

  2265 shared

• Aedín Cassidy

  2221 shared

• Inês Figueira

  Universidade Nova de Lisboa

  2213 shared

• Letizia Bresciani

  University of Parma

  2212 shared

• Patricia I. Oteiza

  University of California, Davis

  2211 shared

• Zhao Lu

  Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos y Nutrición

  2209 shared

• Gow‐Chin Yen

  National Chung Hsing University

  2209 shared

Labs

• Wolfpack Brewing LabPI

Education

• Ph.D., Food Science

  University of California, Davis

  2002

• M.S., Food Science

  University of California, Davis

  1998

• B.S., Food Technology

  University of Belgrade

  1996

Similar researchers at North Carolina State University

• Rodolphe Barrangouh-81
• MaryAnne Drakeh-79
• Mary Ann Lilah-73