Herbal Products in Postsurgical Wound Healing - Incision, Excision and Dead Space Wound Models

The purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge acquired on preclinical (incision, excision, and dead space wound models) and clinical studies regarding topically used herbal products with wound healing activity. The antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant mechanisms of their action as well as the adverse effects of herbal therapy will be described. Numerous preclinical and few clinical trials have confirmed the activity of herbal products in the stimulation of wound healing. In contrast to synthetic drugs, for which chemical compositions, purity, efficacy, minimal active concentration, and toxicity are well specified, several herbal formulations require further investigations. Nevertheless, it cannot be precluded that herbal products may be considered as an important support during conventional wound healing therapy or even as synthetic medicament replacements.