Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of australian native plants in the context of wound healing: A review

Wound healing is an essential biological process which involves tissue repair and recovery and includes the action of a complex system of blood cells, cytokines, and growth factors. It is a process attended by integrated cellular and biochemical events and characterized by four phases: haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling. Medicinal plants which have healing applications, continue to play a central role in the healthcare system of a large proportion of the world’s population. Numerous studies have shown that several Australian plant species used medicinally, contain biologically active extracts and compounds which have enormous potential for the treatment and management of a wound. Medicinal plants contain a wide range of chemical compounds as the unique flora of Australia offers an array of diverse bioactives, which elicit antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound healing abilities. Such properties are not limited to the edible sections of plants as the roots, bark, sap, leaves and seeds from a vast array of plants have demonstrated similar effects. In this review article, various Australian native plants which are scientifically proven to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that support wound healing, are discussed. This review also briefly discusses the general wound healing process, wound-colonizing bacteria, factors that affect wound healing, and costs involved in the treatment and management of chronic wounds.