Natural actives for wound healing: A review

Area of Science:

• Ethnobotany and Pharmacology
• Dermatology and Wound Care

Background:

• Nature has historically served as a source of medicinal compounds.
• Skin injuries are common, and while skin has natural repair mechanisms, chronic wounds pose a significant health challenge.
• Factors like intrinsic and external elements can impede natural skin healing processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review traditionally used natural actives for cutaneous wound treatment.
• To highlight the characteristics and modes of action of these plant-derived compounds.
• To assess the potential of phytotherapy in managing nonhealing skin lesions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of ethnobotanical data and scientific studies on medicinal plants.
• Analysis of traditional uses and documented pharmacological properties of natural actives.
• Synthesis of information on the mechanisms of action relevant to wound healing.

Main Results:

• Identified various plant species traditionally employed for wound healing.
• Detailed characteristics and proposed mechanisms of action for several natural actives.
• Highlighted the need for rigorous clinical studies to validate efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Phytotherapy presents a potential avenue for treating cutaneous wounds.
• Further high-quality research is essential to confirm the clinical effectiveness of plant-based treatments.
• Understanding the properties of natural actives can inform future wound care strategies.