Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Endemic Plants of the Australian Wet Tropics

Six out of seven endemic plants from the mountaintop areas of Mount Lewis National Park in Australia's Wet Tropics demonstrated significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, with five also inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines. The study highlights the potential of these tropical plants as sources for biodiscovery of lead compounds. Researchers assessed hydroethanolic extracts using DPPH-free radical scavenging assays and FRAP-based dose-response curves, finding a strong correlation between antioxidant power and total phenolic content. Additionally, five species showed inhibitory effects on TNF and IL-23 secretion in LPS-stimulated human PBMCs, underscoring their therapeutic promise.

Yeshi, K., Ruscher, R., Miles, K., Crayn, D., Liddell, M., & Wangchuk, P. (2022). Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Endemic Plants of the Australian Wet Tropics. Plants, 11(19), 2519. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192519