About

I am a natural product chemist focused on discovering bioactive molecules from medicinal plants with antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and anticonvulsant properties, and activity against neglected tropical diseases. I also develop quality assurance methods to detect sub-standard and falsified essential medicines in Ghana and Africa. Additionally, I provide technical advice to local essential oil producers and traditional medicine practitioners. I am committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists, fostering their growth and development in the field.

Education

Ph.D.: Chemistry; Department of Chemistry, University of Ghana

B.Sc.: Chemistry with Biochemistry; Department of Chemistry, University of Ghana

Research Interest

• Drug discovery from natural products with a focus on cancer, neglected tropical diseases epilepsy, microbial infections. 

• Structure elucidation of natural products using spectroscopic and spectrometric methods. 

• Development and Application of quality assurance methods to conventional medicines. 

• Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Herbal Remedies

Publications

• Addae-Mensah, I., Dziwornu, G. A., Chama, M. A., & Osei-Safo, D. (2024). The dichapetalins and dichapetalin-type compounds: Structural diversity, bioactivity, and future research perspectives. Natural Product Reports. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D3NP00039G 
• 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., Opoku-Agyemang, F., Asem, F. E., Osei-Safo, D., Addae-Mensah, I. (2024). Increasing the Planting Density of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlt increased Root Biomass and Cryptolepine Yield. Heliyon. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30932 
• Aboagye, I.F., Taylor, E.J., Aryee, B.N.A., Koffi, M-C.A.A., Baffoe-Ansah, J., Osei-Safo, D. (2023). Effect of Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King & H. Rob. Leaf Extract on Oviposition in Rhipicephalus microplus Canestrini, 1888. West African Journal of Applied Ecology, 31(1): 37-43 
• 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 
• Kukuia, K. K. E., Amoako Mensah, J., Amoateng, P., Osei-Safo, D., Efua Koomson, A., Torbi, J., Adongo, D.W., Ameyaw, E.O., Ben, I.O., Amponsah, S.K., Bugyei, K.A., Asiedu-Gyekye, I. J. (2021). Glycine/NMDA Receptor Pathway and Mediating the Rapid-onset Antidepressant Effect of Alkaloids Taken from Trichilia Monadelpha. Basic and https://dx.doi.org/10.32598/bcn.12.3.2838.1 Clinical Neuroscience, 12(3), 395-408. 
• Amewu, R.K., Sakyi, P.O., Osei-Safo, D. & Addae-Mensah, I. (2021). Synthetic and Naturally Occurring Heterocyclic Anticancer Compounds with Multiple Biological Targets. Molecules, 26, 7134 https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237134 
• Amoateng, P., Tagoe, T.A., Karikari, T.K., Kukuia, K.K.E., Osei-Safo, D., Woode, E., Frenguelli, B.G. & Kombian SB (2021). Synedrella nodiflora Extract Depresses Excitatory Synaptic Transmission and Chemically-Induced In Vitro Seizures in the Rat Hippocampus. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12:610025. https://doi.10.3389/fphar.2021.610025 
• Amewu R.K., Amoateng P., Arthur P.K., Asare P., Asiamah I., Boamah D., Darko Otchere I., Dzidzor Amengor C., Ekuadzi E., Chibale K., Farrell SJ., Appiah-Oppong R., Osei-Safo D., Kevin D.R., Gilbert I.H, Yeboah-Manu D. (2020). Drug discovery research in Ghana, challenges, current efforts, and the way forward. PLoS Neglected https://doi.10.1371/journal.pntd.0010645 Tropical Diseases, 15;16(9): e0010645. 
• 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 
• Amoateng P., Oppong Bekoe, E., Amponsah, S. K., Appiah-Opong, R., Osei-Safo, D., N’guessan, B. B., Chaitanya, M. V. N. L., Rajeshkumar, R. and Dhanabal, S. P. (2020). Antioxidant and anti-proliferative effects of an ethyl acetate fraction of the hydro-ethanolic extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 12 (11), 136-143. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2020v12i11.39301 
• Chama, M. A., Onyame, H. A., Fleischer, C., Osei-Safo, D., Waibel, R., Otchere, J., Addae-Mensah, I., Wilson, M. D. (2020). In vitro activities of crude extracts and triterpenoid constituents of Dichapetalum crassifolium Chodat against clinical isolates of Schistosoma haematobium. Heliyon 6 e04460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04460 
• Dermane, A., Kpegba, K., Eloh, K., Osei-Safo, D., Amewu, R. K., Caboni, P. (2020). Differential constituents in roots, stems and leaves of Newbouldia laevis Thunb. screened by LC/ESI-Q-TOF-MS. Results in Chemistry 2, 1-10 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2020.100052 
• 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 
• Mensah, J. A., Kukuia, K. K. E., Amoateng, P., Osei-Safo, D., Adongoe, D.W., Ameyaw, E. O., Bene, I. O., Amponsah, S. K., Asiedu-Gyekye, I. J. (2020). Monoaminergic and L-arginine-no-cGMP pathways mediate the antidepressant-like action of alkaloids from the stem bark of Trichilia monadelpha. Scientific African, 8 (2020) e00422 
• Kyeremeh, K., Flint, A., Jaspars, M., Sunassee, S. N., Amewu, R., Godwin, G. A., Acquah, K. S., Padiki, A. N., Krause, R. and Osei-Safo, D. (2019). Making North–South Collaborations Work: Facilitating Natural Product Drug Discovery in Africa. In: Africa and the Sustainable Development Goals, Sustainable Development Goals Series, M. Ramutsindela and D. Mickler (Eds.), ISBN: 978-3-030-14856-0 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Available at https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14857-7_24 
• Amoateng, P., Quansah, E., Karikari, T. K., Asase, A., Osei-Safo, D., Kukuia, K. K. E., Isaac Kingsley Amponsah,7 and Alexander K. Nyarko, (2018). Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Mental and Neurological Disorders in Ghana. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Volume 2018, Article ID 8590381, 14 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/8590381 
• Amoateng P., Kukuia K. K. E., Mensah, J. A., Osei-Safo D., Adjei, S., Eklemet, A. A., Vinyo, E. A. & Karikari, T. K. (2018). An extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn exhibits antidepressant properties through monoaminergic mechanisms. Metabolic Brain Disease 33:1-10 
• Osei-Safo, D., Chikowe, I., Harrison, J. J. E. K., Konadu, D. Y. & Addae-Mensah, I. (2018). Further validation of a rapid screening semi-quantitative thin layer chromatographic method for marketed anti malarial medicines for adoption in Malawi. Journal of Analytical Methods in Chemistry, 1-7. 
• Amoateng, P., Osei-Safo, D., Kukuia, K. K. E., Adjei, S., Akure, O. B., Agbemelo-Tsomafo, C., Adu-Poku, S. N. & Agyeman-Badu, K. Y. (2017). Psychotropic Effects of an Alcoholic Extract from the Leaves of Albizia zygia (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae). Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 1-12 
• 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 
• Amoateng, P., Adjei, S., Osei-Safo, D., Kukuia, K. K. E., Karikari, T. K. & Nyarko, A. K. (2017). An ethanolic extract of Desmodium adscendens exhibits antipsychotic-like activity in mice. Journal of Basic Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 28 (5), 507-518 
• Amoateng, P., Adjei, S., Osei-Safo, D., Kukuia, K. K. E., Kretchy, I. A., Sarkodie, J. A. & N’Guessan, B. B. (2017). Analgesic effects of a hydro-ethanolic whole plant extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn in paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain in rats. BMC Res Notes, 10:226-232 
• Amoateng, P., Adjei, S., Osei-Safo, D., Kukuia, K. K. E., Oppong Bekoe, E., Karikari, T. K. & Kombian, S. B. (2017). Extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn exhibits antipsychotic properties in murine models of psychosis. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 17:389-403 
• Akotsen-Mensah, C., Ativor, I. N., Anderson, R. S., Afreh Nuamah, K., Brentu, C. F., Osei-Safo, D., Asuming Boakye, A. & Avah, V. (2017). Pest Management Knowledge and Practices of Mango Farmers in Southeastern Ghana. Journal of Integrated Pest Management, 8 (1): 13; 1-7 
• 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., Appiah, A. M., Gbewonyo, S., Osei-Safo, D., Waibel, R., Otchere, J., Wilson, M. & Addae Mensah, I., (2017). Evaluation of Insecticidal and Anti-hook activities of crude extracts and isolates from Dichapetalum madagascariense stem bark. Journal of Science and Technology, 37 (3), 54-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/just.v37i3.6 
• Akotsen-Mensah, C., Ativor, I. N., Anderson, R. S., Afreh Nuamah, K., Brentu, C. F., Osei-Safo, D., Asuming Boakye, A. & Avah, V (2016). Factsheet for Mango Stone Weevil (Sternochetus mangiferae L.) in Ghana. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322855834 
• Appiah-Opong, R., Asante, I. K., Osei-Safo, D., Tuffour, I., Oforiattah, E., Uto, T. & Nyarko, A. K. (2016). Cytotoxic effects of Albizia zygia (DC) J. F. Macbr, a Ghanaian medicinal plant, against human T lymphoblast-like leukemia, prostate, and breast cancer cell lines. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 8(5) 392-396 
• Anderson R.S., Tantoh D.M., Akotsen-Mensah C., Osei-Safo, D. & Afreh Nuamah K. (2016). Evaluation of traps and attractants for monitoring the mango stone weevil Sternochetus mangiferae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in managed orchards in southern Ghana. International Journal of Agricultural Research, Sustainability, and Food Sufficiency, 3(2): 41-51 
• Amissah, J. N., Spiller, M., Oppong, A., Osei-Safo, D., Owusu-Darko, R., Debener, T., Danquah, E. Y. & Addae-Mensah, I. (2016). Genetic Diversity and Cryptolepine concentration of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlt. from Selected Regions of Ghana. Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 3 (1): 34–41 
• Osei-Safo, D., Egbo, H. A., Nettey, H., Konadu D. Y. & Addae-Mensah, I. (2016). Evaluation of the quality of some antibiotics distributed in Accra and Lagos. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 7(5): 1991-2000 
• Adika, C., Aboagye-Antwi, F., Appiah-Opong, R., Duah, N. O., Ayanful-Torgby, R., Matrevi, S., Osei-Safo, D., Gyan, B. A. & Quashie, N. B, (2016). Assessment of the Effects of Natural Cocoa Extract on Erythrocyte Membrane and Asexual Erythrocytic Stage of Plasmodium falciparum. Asian Journal of Ethnopharmacology and Medicinal Foods, 02 (02): 11-16 
• Amissah, J. N., Osei-Safo, D., Asare, C. M., Missah-Assihene, B., Danquah, E. Y. & Addae-Mensah, I. (2016). Influence of Age and Staking on the Growth and Cryptolepine Concentration in Cultivated Roots of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlt. Journal of Medicinal Plant Research, 10(9): 113-121 
• 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 
• Chikowe, I., Osei-Safo, D., Harrison, J. J. E. K., Konadu, D. Y. & Addae-Mensah, I. (2015). Post-marketing surveillance of anti-malarial medicines used in Malawi. Malaria Journal, 14:127-137 Edorh, M. S., Agbere, S., Osei-Safo, D., Adam, Z., Agbonon, A., Karou, D. S., Agbere, R. A. & Gbeassor, M. (2015). Toxicological screening of Daouri, a polyherbal formulation used in children in the Central Region of Togo. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 164, 30-34. 
• Chikowe, I. Osei-Safo, D. & Addae-Mensah, I. (2015). Quality needs and evaluation of antimalarial medicines, LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, ISBN-10: 3659773654, ISBN-13: 978-3659773655, 224 pages 
• Amoateng, P., Adjei, S., Osei-Safo, D., Ameyaw, E. O., Ahedor, B., N’guessan, B. B. & Nyarko, A. K. (2015). A hydro-ethanolic extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn ameliorates hyperalgesia and allodynia in vincristine-induced neuropathic pain in rats. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology; 1-12. 
• Osei-Safo, D., Agbonon, A., Konadu, D. Y., Harrison, J. J. E. K., Edoh, M., Gordon A., Gbeassor, M. & Addae-Mensah, I. (2014). Evaluation of the quality of artemisinin-based antimalarial medicines distributed in Ghana and Togo. Malaria Research and Treatment, 1-12. 
• Adjei, S., Amoateng, P., Osei-Safo, D., Sasu, C., N'guessan, B. B., Addo, P. & Asiedu-Gyekye, J. I. (2014). Sub-acute toxicity of a hydro-ethanolic whole plant extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn in rats. International Journal of Green Pharmacy; 8(4):271-275 
• Adjei, S., Amoateng, P., Osei-Safo, D., Ahedor, B., N’guessan, B. B., Addo, P. & Asiedu-Gyekye, I. J. (2014). Biochemical and haematological changes following an acute toxicity study of a hydro-ethanolic whole plant extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Journal of Medical and Biomedical Sciences, 3(1):31-37. 
• Awortwe, C., Osei-Safo, D., Asiedu-Gyekye, I. J. & Sackeyfio, A. C. (2013). Anti-inflammatory activity of Taraxacum officinale leaves in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea-pigs. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 5(2), 628-63. 
• Osei-Safo, D., Chama, M. A., Addae-Mensah, I. & Waibel, R. (2012). The Dichapetalins - Unique Cytotoxic Constituents of the Dichapetalaceae, Phytochemicals as Nutraceuticals - Global Approaches to Their Role in Nutrition and Health, Dr Venketeshwer Rao (Ed.), ISBN: 978-953-51-0203-8, pages 245-254, InTech, Available at: http://www.intechopen.com/books/phytochemicals-as-nutraceuticals-global-approaches to-their-role-in-nutrition-and-health/the-dichapetalins-unique-cytotoxic-constituents-of-the dichapetalaceae 
• Amponsah, S. K., Bugyei, K. A., Osei-Safo, D., Addai, F. K., Asare, G., Tsegah, A., Baah, J., Ofori, M. & Gyan, B. A. (2012). In Vitro Activity of extract and fractions of natural Cocoa powder on Plasmodium falciparum and inflammatory response mechanisms in malaria. Journal of Medicinal Food, 15(5):476-82. 
• Addae-Mensah, I. & Osei-Safo, D. (2012). Natural Products and Antimalarial Drugs: Will Africa Provide the Next Major Breakthrough? In: Drug Discovery in Africa, K. Chibale, M. Davies-Coleman and C. Masimirembwa (Eds.), ISBN 978-3-642-28174-7, pages 379-406, Springer. Available at http://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783642281747?wt_mc=ThirdParty.SpringerLink.3.EPR653.About_e Book 
• Awortwe, C., Sackeyfio, A. C., Osei-Safo, D., Bugyei, K. A. & Asiedu-Gyekye, I. J. (2011). Dual effect of Taraxacum officinale leaves: Anticholinergic and inhibitory effect on inflammatory cells in ovalbumin sensitized guinea-pigs. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 5(23), 2613-2619. 
• 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., 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. 
• Osei-Safo, D., Chama, M. A., Addae-Mensah, I. & Waibel, R. (2009). Hispidulin and other constituents of Scoparia dulcis Linn. Journal of Science and Technology, 29 (2), 7-15. 
• 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. 
• Addae-Mensah, I. and Osei-Safo, D. (2006). Development and Validation of Thin Layer Chromatographic Screening Methods for the Identification of Dosage Forms of Selected Antimalarial Drugs - Part Two: Selection of Two Solvent Systems for Identification and Semi-Quantitative Estimation of Artemisinin Based Antimalarial Drugs. Quality Assurance & Safety: Medicines, World Health Organization. 
• Addae-Mensah, I. and Osei-Safo, D. (2004). Recommendations on Thin-Layer Chromatographic screening tests for antimalarials. Quality Assurance & Safety: Medicines (QSM), World Health Organization 
• Osei-Safo, D., Addae-Mensah, I. Asomaning, W. A., Garneau, F-X., Koumaglo, K. H. & Oppong, I. V. (2002). Insecticidal properties of Clausena anisata. 5e Colloque Produits Naturels d’Origine Vegetale. Actes du Colloque Sainte-Foy (Proceedings of the 5th Colloquium on Natural Products of Vegetable Origin), pp179-186. 
• Osei-Safo, D., Addae-Mensah, I., Asomaning, W. A., Garneau, F-X., Koumaglo, K. H. & Oppong, I. V. (2002). Coumarins of the Chemovarieties of Clausena anisata. 5e Colloque Produits Naturels d’Origine Vegetale. Actes du Colloque Sainte-Foy (Proceedings of the 5th Colloquium on Natural Products of Vegetable Origin), pp 187 -192. 
• Garneau, F-X, Pichette, A., Gagnon, H., Jean, F-I. Addae-Mensah, I., Osei-Safo, D., Asomaning, W. A., Oteng-Yeboah, A., Moudachirou,M. & Koumaglo, K. H. (2000). (E)- and (Z)- Foeniculin, constituents of the leaf oil of a New Chemovariety of Clausena anisata. J. Essential Oil Research, 12, 757-762.