Synergistic Effects of Native Australian Plant Extracts For Skin Inflammation and Wound Healing

We’re proud to share a significant milestone for NATIVE EXTRACTS, with our research now published in a Tier 1 peer-reviewed journal, Biomedicines. This publication marks an important breakthrough in Australian plant science and reflects a broader shift towards industry body collaborations on research with purpose — research designed to advance scientific understanding while supporting responsible ingredient innovation.

Summary

New peer-reviewed pre-clinical research published in Biomedicines journal demonstrates that synergistic combinations of our cellular plant extracts, including Australian native species, significantly reduce skin inflammation and support wound healing. Conducted in collaboration with the NICM Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University, the study examined single botanical Cellular Extracts as well as the combined effects of Bitter Orange (non-native), Mountain Pepper Berry, and Native River Mint Cellular Extracts, revealing effective down-regulation of inflammation via the nitric oxide (NO) pathway.

The findings reinforce the value of industry-purpose-led, commercially reproducible botanical research and highlights the importance of studying whole plant extracts that deliver comprehensive phyto-compound profiles (the entourage) rather than isolation of single compounds. Plant Science is evolving rapidly through innovation in extraction processes and methodologies, advances in green chemistry and analytical testing, building new knowledge of a species ontology and how combinations of botanical profiles can represent new value for solving human health concerns.

Why This Research Matters

This study aimed to investigate the individual and combined effects of cellular plant extracts on skin protection and healing, with a focus on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.

The research found clear evidence that combinations of cellular plant extracts deliver amplified biological effects, particularly in the modulation of inflammatory pathways. For the skincare and wellness industries, this reinforces a move away from reductionist ingredient approaches toward a more holistic understanding of how plant systems function.

Synergistic Effects of Cellular Plant Extracts

The pre-clinical research focused on a range of single Cellular Extracts, and the combination of three botanicals that were the top performers — Bitter Orange (non-native), Mountain Pepper Berry, and Native River Mint.

Rather than acting independently, these Cellular Extracts were shown to work synergistically, significantly alleviating skin inflammation and promoting wound healing. Importantly, these effects were linked to the down-regulation of inflammation via the nitric oxide (NO) pathway, a key mechanism involved in inflammatory skin responses.

These findings demonstrate the value of studying whole plant Cellular Extracts in combination, reflecting how plants naturally function and interact.

From Academia to Application: A Strategic Collaboration

This research was made possible through our strategic collaboration with the NICM Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University, led by Dr Phoebe Zhou and Professor Gerald Muench.

We also congratulate Rotina Kapini on the publication, who completed this work during her Master’s research project, bringing together this important body of work using our botanical Cellular Extracts — extracts developed to deliver a botanical’s hydrophilic entourage, to be scientifically robust, reproducible, and suitable for commercial application.

By working with commercially viable plant extracts, this collaboration bridges academic research with formulation and innovation pathways relevant to industry.

Whole Extracts, Not Isolated Compounds

A defining feature of this research is its focus on whole (crude) plant extracts, rather than isolating individual compounds. NATIVE EXTRACTS’ Cellular Extraction is designed to deliver a ‘True to Nature’ extract - whole plant extracts capturing the concert of hydrophilic phyto-compounds.

• This approach better reflects:
• The biological complexity of plants
• The role of synergy in driving performance
• How botanical ingredients can be realistically used in commercial formulations

Exploring extracts in their natural complexity enables a more accurate understanding of how plant systems deliver functional benefits.

Bridging Western Science with Traditional Knowledge

This research also supports a broader objective: bridging Western science with Traditional Knowledge, for Indigenous groups to leverage science they can use to support their cultural and historical use IP.

Cellular Extraction and advancing analytical profiling can generating new scientific insights into Australian native plants. This is important work and it needs to be shared. NATIVE EXTRACTS’s believes this work could help strengthen cultural, scientific, and commercial pathways for native species, while supporting responsible innovation and Indigenous knowledge systems.

As Dr Joseph Nastasi, Lead Research Scientist at NATIVE EXTRACTS, explains:

“This publication highlights how the industry and academic space are shifting. Too often, research in academia is done for the sake of research, which can limit our ability to translate discoveries into real impact. Research with purpose is where we truly change lives. Working with commercial and reproducible plant extracts is one of those shifts — it bridges science with application. It’s also fantastic to see emerging native species gaining attention, and crude (whole) plant extracts explored for their synergistic effects rather than isolating single compounds. Most importantly, this type of research empowers Indigenous communities — by providing new scientific insights into their plants, they can align Western science with Traditional Knowledge and history. Together, this strengthens cultural, scientific, and commercial pathways for native species.”

What This Research Unlocks for Skincare, Wellness, and Formulation

These pre-clinical results demonstrate strong therapeutic indices for our botanical Cellular Extracts and will help catalyse innovation across multiple industry applications.

Looking ahead, the next decade will see an escalation in research exploring natural molecules in their entourage, alongside access to new plant species and advances in plant profiling technologies. This publication is an important step forward — and part of a broader body of work we’re continuing to build and just the beginning of what’s possible when science, purpose, and collaboration align.

Read the Peer-Reviewed Research

You can access the full peer-reviewed paper published in Biomedicines here: Synergistic Combinations of Native Australian Plants For Skin Inflammation and Wound Healing

If you’d like to learn more about our research, Datasheets on Cellular Extracts, Grower and Research Institution collaborative opportunities, we’d love to connect, reach out to enquires@nativeextracts.com

Note: Bitter Orange is not an Australian Native Plant