Member Profile
Membership type: full
Dorcas Osei-Safo
Country of origin: Ghana Currently in: Ghana, Accra General field of specialization: Chemical Sciences-
Degrees
1999 Doctorate Chemical Sciences -
Current Research Activities
Chemical Sciences
Isolation and characterization of biologically active compounds from medicinal plants for drug discovery in cancer, microbial infections, schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, trypanosomiasis and epilepsy. Scientific validation of herbal medicines for the disease portfolios outlined above. Assessment of aflatoxin levels in major staples in Ghana and risk exposure to consumers.
Publications resulting from Research:
Boadu, R. O., Dankyi, E., Apalangya, V. A., Osei-Safo, D. (2024). Aflatoxins in maize and groundnuts on markets in Accra and consumers’ risk. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/19393210.2024.2351575
Amissah, J.N., Alorvor, F.E., Okorley, B.A., Asare, C.M., Osei-Safo, D., Appiah-Opong, R. & Addae-Mensah, I. (2022). Mineral Fertilization Influences the Growth, Cryptolepine Yield, and Bioefficacy of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlt. Plants, 11, 122. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11010122
Twumasi, E. B., Akazue, P.I., Kyeremeh, K., Gwira, T.M., Keiser. J., Cho-Ngwa, F… Osei-Safo, D. (2020). Antischistosomal, antionchocercal and antitrypanosomal potentials of some Ghanaian traditional medicines and their constituents. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 14(12): e0008919. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008919
Tchokouaha Yamthe, L. R., Philips, T. J., Osei-Safo, D., Toukam Djouonzo, P., Odame Agyapong, O., Dotse, E., Tsouh Fokou P. V., Kwofie, S. K., Boyom, F. F., Alexander Kwadwo Nyarko, A. K., Appiah-Opong, R., Wilson, M. D. (2020). Antileishmanial effects of Sargassum vulgare products and prediction of trypanothione reductase inhibition by fucosterol. Future Drug Discovery, 0.4155/fdd-2020-0002
Crentsil J.A., Yamthe L.R.T., Anibea B.Z., Broni E., Kwofie S.K., Tetteh J.K.A. and Osei-Safo D (2020) Leishmanicidal Potential of Hardwickiic Acid isolated from Croton sylvaticus. Frontiers Pharmacology 11:753. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00753
Osei-Safo, D., Dziwornu, G. A., Salgado, A., Sunassee, S. N. & Chama, M. A. (2017). Bi- and bisbibenzyls from the roots of Dichapetalum heudelotii and their antiproliferative activities. Fitoterapia 122, 95–100
Osei-Safo, D., Dziwornu, G.A., Appiah-Opong, R., Chama, M.A., Tuffour, I., Waibel, R., Amewu, R. & Addae-Mensah, I. (2017). Constituents of the Roots of Dichapetalum pallidum and Their Anti-Proliferative Activity. Molecules, 22, 532-542
Chama, M. A., Dziwornu, G. A., Waibel, R., Osei-Safo, D., Addae-Mensah, I., Otchere, J. & Wilson, M. (2015). Isolation, characterization and anthelminthic activity of a novel dichapetalin and other constituents of Dichapetalum filicaule. Pharmaceutical Biology, 29: 1-10
Osei-Safo, D., Harrison, J. J. E. K. & Addae-Mensah, I. (2010). Validation and application of quality assurance methods developed for artemisinin-based antimalarial drugs to assess the quality of a selection of such drugs distributed in Accra, Ghana. African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacy, 1:1, 1-26.
Osei-Safo, D., Chama, M. A., Addae-Mensah, I., Waibel, R., Asomaning, W. A. & Oppong, I. V. (2008). Dichapetalin M from Dichapetalum madagascariense. Phytochemistry Letters 1, 147-150.
Osei-Safo, D., Addae-Mensah, I., Garneau, F-X. & Koumaglo, H. K. (2010). A comparative study of the antimicrobial activity of the leaf essential oils of chemo-varieties of Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook. F. Benth. Industrial Crops & Products, 32 (3), 634-638.
Current profession
Current professional activities type:TeachingTeaching of organic chemistry courses at undergraduate and graduate levels. Graduate and undergraduate student Supervision and Mentorship Drug Discovery Research
Workshop and Conference Attended
2017 Cape Town, South Africa Worldwide Universities Network Global Africa Group collaborative book project on Africa and the Sustainable Development Goals2017 Accra, Ghana Pan Africa Chemistry Network Congress 2017: Sustainable Agriculture; How the Chemical Sciences Can Contribute to Food Security for a Growing Population2011 Tianjin, P. R. China 1st Seminar on Research and Development of Medicinal Plants for TUTCM and UG2016 Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain Science by Women Seminar2022 Online/Virtual Workshop on Structure Elucidation of Natural Products2024 Accra, Ghana MAIDEN WOMEN IN CHEMICAL SCIENCES CONFERENCEAffiliations
Women in Chemistry NetworkGhana Chemical SocietySociety for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA)Presentation given
2011Practice and regulation of herbal medicines in GhanaTianjin, ChinaEvent: 1st Seminar on Research and Development of Medicinal Plants for TUTCM and UG2017Addressing the Challenges of North-South Collaborations: Plant and Microbial Product Identification for Infectious and Non-communicable Diseases in AfricaCape Town. South AfricaEvent: Worldwide Universities Network Global Africa Group collaborative book project on Africa and the Sustainable Development Goals2024Exposure and Risk Assessment of Aflatoxins from the consumption of major staples in GhanaAccra, GhanaEvent: MAIDEN WOMEN IN CHEMICAL SCIENCES CONFERENCE2016Chemical and Biological Investigation of a Ghanaian Medicinal PlantMadrid, SpainEvent: Science by Women Seminar2022Heteronuclear 2D NMROnline/VirtualEvent: Workshop on Structure Elucidation of Natural Products -
Other Awards
Nov 1991F. G. Torto Award for Best Graduating Student in ChemistryBest graduating chemistry student for the class of 1991, University of GhanaMar 2003Best Lecturer AwardPresented by the University of Ghana Medical Students, Association, Class of 2007Feb 2002Outstanding and Meritorious AchievementAn award bestowed on me as the first lady PhD in Chemistry in Ghana, by Wesley Girls’ High School as an old girl, on the 165th Anniversary Celebration of the School.Apr 2024Distinguished MentorHonoured for being mentor of a female academic at an event themed, 'Empowering Women Academics and Accelerating their Progress in a Changing World' by the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) at the University of Ghana.Nov 2024Distinguished Woman in Chemical SciencesAn award in recognition of my exemplary career and accomplishments as a professional chemist at the Women in Chemical Sciences Excellence Awards.
