A Comprehensive Review of Natural Compounds for Wound Healing: Targeting Bioactivity Perspective

Abstract

Wound healing is a recovering process of damaged tissues by replacing dysfunctional injured cellular structures. Natural compounds for wound treatment have been widely used for centuries. Numerous published works provided reviews of natural compounds for wound healing applications, which separated the approaches based on different categories such as characteristics, bioactivities, and modes of action. However, current studies provide reviews of natural compounds that originated from only plants or animals. In this work, we provide a comprehensive review of natural compounds sourced from both plants and animals that target the different bioactivities of healing to promote wound resolution. The compounds were classified into four main groups (i.e., anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and collagen promotion), mostly studied in current literature from 1992 to 2022. Those compounds are listed in tables for readers to search for their origin, bioactivity, and targeting phases in wound healing. We also reviewed the trend in using natural compounds for wound healing.

Preparation, Characterization, Wound Healing, and Cytotoxicity Assay of PEGylated Nanophytosomes Loaded with 6-Gingerol

“…Table 1 and Figure 1 A show the particle sizes, PDIs, and zeta potentials of the different formulations. All the nanoliposome data were within the range of optimum formulation [ 25 ]. There were no significant differences in the average particle sizes and PDIs between the free and loaded nanoparticles; furthermore, we calculated the p values as 0.96 and 0.71, respectively.…”

“…We investigated GAPDH, IL-1, beta IL-10, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, and IRAK1. We used glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as an internal reference gene to normalize the expression of the tested genes [ 24 , 25 ].…”

Honey and propolis for wound healing

“…Wound healing is a recovering process of damaged tissues by replacing dysfunctional injured cellular structures. 1 occurred through three main phases; inflammation, proliferative, and tissue remodeling 2 to form a complex and continuous process but dynamic and orderly process, characterized by a series of overlapping of these interact phases. Honey is one of the oldest known medicines which have been "rediscovered" in later times by the medical profession, especially for dressing wounds management since its effectiveness.…”

“…4 and sting bees (Apis spp.) 1 produce honey with excellent nutritional and medicinal value with potent antimicrobial action 5,6 and enhance wound healing by reducing the level of inflammation, edema, and pain through suppression the activities of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 (COX1 and COX2). 7 Correct treatment of chronic wounds and ulcers is a complex process, which requires de-trauma, drainage and anti-inflammatory therapies, 8 so honey is a favorable as it promotes tissue repair 9 re-epithelization, 10 collagen deposition, 2 debridement action, 11 plays a role in tissue regeneration since honey-induced extracellular Ca2+ entry results in wound healing, which is consistent with the role played by Ca2+ signaling in tissue regeneration.…”

“…22 The topical application of propolis extract gel increases the expression of FGF-2 and fibroblasts within the traumatic ulcer healing process, 23 absolute ethanolic extract propylene glycol preparation dressing 24 or even wound spray 15,24 since these api products contain compounds with anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, immunomodulation activity as well as collagen matrix production. 1 Additionally, to their wide spectrum antimicrobial activity 5,6,15 the wound-healing potential of honey and propolis is referred mainly to micro components contents of flavonoids, phenolic acids, and several other phytochemicals with their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 25 Antibacterial activity: Direct exposure of honey against microorganisms has multifactorial actions as, physically (free acidity 26 and hyper osmolarity since microorganisms can't survive and grow in the hypertonic sugar solution or in low pH medium).…”