Centipeda cunninghamii, an australian traditional medicinal plant

Centipeda cunninghamii (DC.) A.Braun & Asch. is an endemic Australian Asteraceae with a long history of traditional use as a medicinal plant for treating wounds, infections and inflammation. Whilst its essential oil composition, principally chrysanthenyl and sabinyl acetates, has been known for some time, there was little scientific information regarding its phytochemistry and biological activity. Investigations on aqueous ethanolic extracts confirmed its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant (ORAC) activity. Detailed investigations suggest the extract acts against a range of inflammatory markers including COX-1, COX-2, NO and TNF-α, but not through the lipoxygenase pathway. Seventeen compounds were isolated and subsequent bioassays indicated that the anti-inflammatory activity was linked to flavonoids, whilst the antioxidant activity was attributed to both flavonoids and a group of novel heptenedioic acid cinnamoyl esters. The latter compounds are ring-opened quinic acid derivatives and appear to be unique to this species. Optimisation of growing, post-harvest and extraction conditions based on quality markers have been developed for future production and product development.