Cynthia Amaning Danquah
The integration of diverse research themes within the health sciences reveals a unified pursuit towards enhancing therapeutic effectiveness, particularly through the utilization of natural products and their synergies with antibiotics. Studies on microbial natural products highlight their significant role in combating multidrug-resistant pathogens, while investigations into therapeutic agents like palimusaponins and biotin underscore innovative methods to address antibiotic resistance. The biological activity and synthesis of alkaloids further demonstrate the versatility of plant-derived compounds in modulating biofilm formation, efflux pump inhibition, and antibiotic susceptibility. Molecular docking studies on compounds such as taxanes and DPC-108 reveal their potential as potent anti-tubercular agents. Additionally, research into phytochemistry and pharmacology, including the effects of ethyl extracts from plants like turmeric, cymodendron, and crinum, underscores their effectiveness in combating infections. The interplay between molecular mechanisms and clinical outcomes underscores the importance of natural product bioactivity in therapeutic development. This synthesis highlights a collaborative effort to understand diverse pathways for drug efficacy, ultimately aiming to advance the creation of more effective therapies, particularly targeting multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Faculty Biography
PROFILE OF PROFESSOR CYNTHIA AMANING DANQUAHBPharm, MPhil (Kumasi), PhD (London), MPSGH, MRSC Professor Cynthia Amaning Danquah, is an Associate Professor in Pharmacology and current head of the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. She obtained her PhD in Natural Product Drug Discovery from the School of Pharmacy, University College London, United Kingdom. Her MPhil. Pharmacology and B. Pharm degrees were obtained from KNUST, and she holds a certificate in Pharmacovigilance from the University of Groningen, Netherlands. She is a registered Pharmacist, a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana and a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Professor Cynthia Amaning Danquah was employed as a lecturer in the department of Pharmacology in November 2009, promoted to the rank of Senior lecturer in August 2014 and subsequently to Associate Professor in August 2021. She has since her appointment as a senior member rendered diverse service to the University, Ghana and the International Community. She has served as an external examiner for local and international universities, as a reviewer of grant applications and journals for both local and international institutions and member of editorial board of journals. She has worked as a visiting scholar/research associate to Birkbeck, University of London, University of Nottingham, Kings College London, and the University of Oxford all in the UK; as well as a Pharmacist Preceptor for the Ohio Northern University, Ohio and Roseman University of Health Sciences, Nevada, USA.She was awarded the Africa Oxford Research Development Award (£50,000) in 2020 to collaborate with the University of Oxford, UK on natural product drug discovery to tackle antibiotic resistance and develop new antibacterial agents to fight resistance in tuberculosis (TB). She is also a recipient of the KNUST Research Fund (KREF) Interdisciplinary award and KREF Seed grant, 2019. She is an Affiliate of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS); Country Ambassador for the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and member of the British Pharmacological Society (BPS). To mark International Women’s Day in 2022, she was awarded the Ghana Women Excellence Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Social and Economic Development of Ghana in the category of Tertiary Education and Scientific Research under the auspices of the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection of Ghana. In 2023, she won the maiden KNUST Vice Chancellor's Award for Creativity and Innovation.Her research area of interests include Natural Product Pharmacology and Toxicology, Natural Product Drug Discovery to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance particularly in Tuberculosis and AMR Stewardship. She has conducted extensive research with peer-reviewed publications, graduated postgraduate students, and participated in several international conferences and workshops across the globe including London, Glasgow, Birmingham, in the UK; Washington DC, San Diego California and Ohio Northern in USA; Copenhagen, Denmark; Chatenay-Malabry, France; Düsseldorf, Germany; Geneva, Switzerland in Europe; Cameroon, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Cote d’ivoire in Africa. She is particularly interested in mentoring young girls to take up courses and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Alkaloids: synthesis and pharmacology
Allergic Rhinitis and Sensitization
Andrographolide Research and Applications
Animal Nutrition and Physiology
Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
Antibiotic Use and Resistance
Asthma and respiratory diseases
Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
Berberine and alkaloids research
Cancer-related Molecular Pathways
Chemical synthesis and alkaloids
Click Chemistry and Applications
Computational Drug Discovery Methods
Drug Transport and Resistance Mechanisms
Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity
Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies
Garlic and Onion Studies
Helminth infection and control
HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Malaria Research and Control
Mast cells and histamine
Medical Case Reports and Studies
Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis
Nail Diseases and Treatments
Natural Compounds in Disease Treatment
Natural product bioactivities and synthesis
Ocular Infections and Treatments
Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy
Pharmacological Effects of Natural Compounds
Phytochemical Studies and Bioactivities
Phytochemistry and Biological Activities
Plant-based Medicinal Research
Rabbits: Nutrition, Reproduction, Health
Synthesis and biological activity
Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
Mechanisms and Evolution of Antimicrobial Resistance in Ophthalmology: Surveillance, Clinical Implications, and Future Therapies
Open AccessMedicinal plant extracts modulate antibiotic activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria and Candida albicans
Open AccessDiosgenin ameliorates silica‐induced tuberculosis in rats
Open AccessQuorum sensing inhibition by South African medicinal plants species: an in vitro and an untargeted metabolomics study
Open AccessEffects of Six-Hour Pre-Incubation Thermal Conditioning and Prolonged Storage on Egg Quality, Embryogenesis, Hatchability, and Post-Hatch Physiology of Plymouth Rock Hybrid Chickens in Tropical Climate of Ghana
Open AccessAntimicrobial Activity of Some Plant Extracts and Their Interaction with Standard Antibiotics
Open AccessAurantio‐Obtusin Suppresses Airway Inflammation and Serum ICAM‐1 Expression in Guinea Pig Allergic Asthma Model
Open AccessEvaluation of the Knowledge, and Attitude of Non-Healthcare Students in Central University Ghana on Antibiotic Resistance
Open AccessBenefits of Statins as Adjunct Therapy in the Management of Tuberculosis in Patients at a Referral Site in Ghana
Open AccessAnti-implantation and uterotonic properties of Mentha pulegium L. in female Sprague-Dawley rats
Open AccessAntimicrobial resistance modifying effects and molecular docking studies of Affinine, derived from Tabernaemontana crassa
Open AccessBetulin, a Compound Isolated from Crinum asiaticum Bulbs Exerted Anti-Silicosis and Pulmonoprotective Effects Through the Inhibition of NF-κB activation in Rat model
Open AccessThe hydro-ethanolic extract of Scoparia dulcis Linn inhibits allergic airway inflammatory responses in murine asthma models
Open AccessInvestigation of the antimycobacterial activity of African medicinal plants combined with chemometric analysis to identify potential leads
Open AccessDiscovery and Development of Antimalarial Drug Resistance Reversal Agents
Diosgenin Demonstrates a Promising Activity By Reducing Biomarkers Related to Silica and Mycobacterium-Induced Lung Inflammation in Sprague Dawley Rats
Open AccessIn Vitro Antiquorum Sensing Activity of Extracts and Solid Phase Extraction Generated Fractions of South African Medicinal Plants
Open AccessEvaluation of the Knowledge, Attitude and Perception of Healthcare Students on Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance: A Study in Central University, Ghana
Open AccessAntibacterial, Resistance Modulation, Anti-Biofilm Formation, and Efflux Pump Inhibition Properties of Loeseneriella africana (Willd.) N. Halle (Celastraceae) Stem Extract and Its Constituents
Open AccessAurantio-obtusin alleviates allergic responses in ovalbumin-induced rhinitis
Open AccessBetulin and Crinum asiaticum L. bulbs extract attenuate pulmonary fibrosis by down regulating pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory cytokines in bleomycin-induced fibrosis mice model
Open AccessAfrican Medicines Agency: How it will change the landscape of medicines in Africa
Open AccessAcute and Sub-acute Toxicity Studies of Solvent Extracts of Crinum pedunculatum Bulbs R.Br
Marburg virus in Ghana: A public health threat to Ghanaians and to Africans
Open AccessSynthesized Phosphonium Compounds Demonstrate Resistant Modulatory and Antibiofilm Formation Activities against Some Pathogenic Bacteria
Open AccessAntibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Andrographolide in Combination with Antimicrobial Drugs
Open AccessThe Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Tulbaghia, Allium, Crinum and Cyrtanthus: ‘Talented’ Taxa from the Amaryllidaceae
Open AccessAntimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anti-inflammatory Evaluation of Synthesised Azo Compounds based on β-naphthol, Catechol and Quinol Nucleus
Open AccessAntimicrobial Activity and In silico ADME Prediction of Synthesised 8-hydroxyquinoline Azo Compounds against Some ESKAPE Human Pathogens and Mycobacterium smegmatis
Open AccessClinical characteristics of external bacterial ocular and periocular infections and their antimicrobial treatment patterns among a Ghanaian ophthalmic population
Open AccessNatural Products as Antibiofilm Agents
Open AccessHydroethanolic stem bark extract of Treculia africana Decne (Moraceae) shows antimicrobial resistance modulatory effects
Open AccessAntitubercular activities of Crinum asiaticum bulb extract using aeroso-linduced Mycobacterium smegmatis in mice model
Open AccessPalmatine Attenuates Metastatic Lung Colonization of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Open AccessEffect of Diclofenac and Andrographolide Combination on Carrageenan-Induced Paw Edema and Hyperalgesia in Rats
Open AccessAntimicrobial Compounds from Microorganisms
Open AccessClinical Characteristics of External Ocular and Periocular Infections and Their Antimicrobial Treatment Patterns Among a Ghanaian Ophthalmic Population; A Multicenter Study
Open AccessAnti-arthritic activity of solvent extracts of the bulbs of Crinum pedunculatum R.Br.
Open AccessPyridine‐N‐Oxide Alkaloids from <i>Allium stipitatum</i> and Their Synthetic Disulfide Analogs as Potential Drug Candidates against <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>: A Molecular Docking, QSBAR, and ADMET Prediction Approach
Open AccessAntibacterial, Resistance Modulation, Anti-Biofilm Formation, and Efflux Pump Inhibition Properties of Loeseneriella Africana (Willd.) N. Halle (Celastraceae) Stem Extract and its New Triterpenoid
Open AccessIn-vitro Anti-Tuberculosis, Anti-Efflux Pumps and Anti-Biofilm Effects of Crinum Asiaticum Bulbs
Open AccessAnalgesic, Anti-inflammatory, and Anti-pyretic Activities of Crinum pedunculatum R.Br. Bulb Extracts
Open AccessPalmatine sensitizes chemoresistant triple negative breast cancer cells via efflux inhibition of multidrug resistant protein 1.
Open AccessAntibacterial, Antibiofilm, and Efflux Pump Inhibitory Properties of the Crude Extract and Fractions from Acacia macrostachya Stem Bark
Open AccessSynthesis, molecular docking studies and ADME prediction of some new triazoles as potential antimalarial agents
Open AccessSelf-Medication and Antimicrobial Resistance: A Survey of Students Studying Healthcare Programmes at a Tertiary Institution in Ghana
Open AccessAcute and sub-acute toxicity studies of the chloroform extract of Crinum asiaticum bulbs in mice.
Open AccessProtective effects of andrographolide against diclofenac-induced gastric damage
Open AccessInvestigating Ghanaian Allium Species for Anti-Infective and Resistance-Reversal Natural Product Leads to Mitigate Multidrug-Resistance in Tuberculosis
Open AccessPalmatine Modulates Triple Negative Mammary Carcinoma by Regulating the Endogenous Function of p53, p21 and Mdm2
Open AccessBioactive constituents with antibacterial, resistance modulation, anti-biofilm formation and efflux pump inhibition properties from Aidia genipiflora stem bark
Open AccessAnti-infective, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the bulb extracts of Crinum jagus (J. Thomps.) Dandy (Amaryllidaceae)
Open AccessPublic perceptions on the use of antibiotics at a market place in Kumasi, Ghana: A cross-sectional study
Combating Biofilm and Quorum Sensing: A New Strategy to Fight Infections
Open AccessAntimicrobial Agents: Antibacterial Agents, Anti-biofilm Agents, Antibacterial Natural Compounds, and Antibacterial Chemicals
Open AccessAntimicrobial pentacyclic triterpenes and glycosides from the stem bark of<i>Cussonia bancoensis</i>
Analogues of Disulfides from Allium stipitatum Demonstrate Potent Anti-tubercular Activities through Drug Efflux Pump and Biofilm Inhibition
Open AccessEarly diagnosis and effective treatment regimens are the keys to tackle antimicrobial resistance in tuberculosis (TB): A report from Euroscicon's international TB Summit 2016
Open AccessHT‐SPOTi: A Rapid Drug Susceptibility Test (DST) to Evaluate Antibiotic Resistance Profiles and Novel Chemicals for Anti‐Infective Drug Discovery
Development of a rapid, reliable and quantitative method — “SPOTi” for testing antifungal efficacy
Open AccessTackling tuberculosis: Insights from an international TB Summit in London
Open AccessThe Anthelmintic Activity of Vernonia Amygdalina (Asteraceae) and Alstonia Boonei De Wild (Apocynaceae)
Open AccessAnti-arthritic Effects of an Ethanolic Extract of Capparis erythrocarpos Isert Roots in Freund’s Adjuvant-induced Arthritis in Rats
Anti-inflammatory and Antipyretic Effects of an Ethanolic Extract of Capparis erythrocarpos Isert Roots
Open AccessThe indiscriminate use of sex enhancing products among Ghanaians: Prevalence, and potential risk
Antinociceptive Effects of an Ethanolic Extract of Capparis erythrocarpos Isert Roots in the Mice Formalin Test
Open AccessAnti-Arthritic Effects of Palisota hirsuta K. Schum. Leaf Extract in Freund’s Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis in Rats
Department of Pharmacology
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology