Abstract
Forming part of the Australian Wound Management Innovation Cooperative Research Centre, this project focuses on identifying plant compounds, in particular from native Australian plants, with potential application in wound healing.
In vitro
testing for anti-inflammatory (inhibition of TNF-α, nitric oxide, PGE
2
), antibacterial and antioxidant activity is used to identify candidate extracts, while bioassay-guided fractionation and structural elucidation using NMR and mass spectroscopy are employed to isolate and characterise active lead compounds. Around 130 native plant species were identified in the literature as having been used by Australian indigenous people for wounds and sores, and more than 250 species have been screened in the project so far. New natural compounds isolated include dibenzofurans, coumarins, flavonoids and anthranilic acid derivatives. Australia's unique biodiversity provides a rich source of natural products, some of which may have potential as new wound healing agents due to their ability to inhibit microorganisms, modify the inflammatory response, or modulate other aspects of the wound healing process.