Polyherbal formulations and phytosome-based delivery in diabetic wound healing: an integrative review

Diabetic foot ulcers are a global health concern due to their high prevalence, chronicity, risk of infection, and recurrence. Alternative therapy is necessary since clinical outcomes are poor despite prescribed treatments such as debridement, antibiotic medication, and revascularization. A growing number of researchers are looking at plant medicines as potential new adjuvant or supplementary treatments; the topic includes polyherbal preparations and innovative nanocarrier platforms. This review aims to evaluate the pharmacological action, formulation strategy, and translation potential of polyherbal formulations and phytosome-based drug delivery with a focus on their potential for use in DFU therapy. The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and pro-angiogenic effects of polyherbal formulations, including Curcuma longa, Azadirachta indica, and Centella asiatica, work in tandem to accelerate the healing process once a wound has occurred. Vesicular carriers derived from phospholipids, phytosomes, improve the skin's absorption of phytoconstituents and their medicinal efficacy by increasing their solubility, stability, and bioavailability. New research from both animal and human studies indicates that herbal actives encased in phytosomes can influence inflammatory pathways, speed up re-epithelialization, and enhance collagen synthesis. The necessity for standardization of herbal products, regulatory hurdles, and insufficient broad clinical validation are some of the current challenges that this research highlights further. It concludes by discussing future possibilities in wound care protocols, such as omics-oriented techniques, biomarker-driven individualized treatment, and the use of phytosome-enhanced polyherbal systems. Together, our findings reinforce the notion that polyherbal phytosome formulations have the potential to enhance diabetic wound healing outcomes significantly.