Gut-skin microbial interactions in wound healing: From mechanistic insights to therapeutic opportunities

A wound is defined as a disruption of the epithelial lining of the skin or mucosa caused by thermal or physical injury, and it is categorized into two types: acute and chronic. Wound healing involves the regeneration of damaged epithelial tissues and occurs in four phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Emerging evidence indicates that microorganisms in the gut and on the skin contribute to healing in intestinal mucosal and cutaneous wounds, respectively. Recently, there has been a surge in studies on the gut-skin axis, which has significantly improved our understanding of how the gut and skin microbiota influence wound healing. This review focuses on preclinical findings regarding gut and skin microbes and their roles in healing processes. It explores probiotics as therapeutic options to maintain the integrity of gut and skin epithelial barriers against damage or injury. The literature on gut and skin microbiota in wound healing was extensively reviewed. The search, conducted across various databases [PubMed®, Google Scholar®, Scopus®, ResearchGate®, Web of Science®, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)®, Science Direct®, Scopus (Elsevier)] using key terms, included English-language publications up to July 2025. Understanding the specific mechanistic links between gut and skin microbiota and the epithelial regeneration process can deepen our knowledge of the receptor and signaling pathways involved in wound healing. This understanding highlights the importance of preventing dysbiosis in the gut and skin microbiota to support epithelial and mucosal health.