Investigation of antimicrobial activity of selected native medicinal plants

Wound healing or wound repair is an intricate and complex process that requires the synergistic interaction of numerous tissues and cellular processes. In Australia, the prevalence of chronic wounds is estimated to be 7-8 times higher within the indigenous population compared with non-indigenous Australians. However, the availability of drugs capable of promoting the wound repair process remains limited. The history of plant usage for medicinal purposes dates back millennia across a multitude of cultures. Moreover, medicinal plants continue to play a central role in the healthcare system of a large proportion of the world’s population. Recent studies have demonstrated that several Australian plant species used medicinally produce biologically active extracts and compounds. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of three Australian native plants