A Professor of Natural Products Organic Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor Yaw Opoku Boahen says he has discovered plants with biologically active compounds that can be developed for the production of potent drugs for cancer, malaria and other health conditions.
One of the compounds Professor Boahen prepared with enhanced biological activity proved very promising going as far as phase two clinical trial which implies it could possibly pass as a potent drug.
On Wednesday at the School of Medical Sciences Auditorium, Professor Boahen delivered his inaugural lecture which highlighted his contributions to the search for biologically active compounds.
One of his key contributions is his search leading to the development of a drug that changes the shape and structures within cells to destroy cancer cells.
According to him, some compounds such as artemisinin, aspirin, quinine morphine codeine, etc. present a broad and representative range of pharmacological activities which are widely utilized for their medicinal purposes. This, he explains, can open opportunities for people to the development of green houses.
Professor Opoku Boahen bemoaned lack of the needed equipment in Ghanaian laboratories for further development in the area of photochemistry. He says the expertise is available yet there is not enough support to promote gains in the field of photochemistry.
Source: Atlfmonline
