Wound Healing and the Use of Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Cutaneous wound healing is the process by which skin repairs itself. It is generally accepted that cutaneous wound healing can be divided into 4 phases: haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling. In humans, keratinocytes re-form a functional epidermis (reepithelialization) as rapidly as possible, closing the wound and reestablishing tissue homeostasis. Dermal fibroblasts migrate into the wound bed and proliferate, creating “granulation tissue” rich in extracellular matrix proteins and supporting the growth of new blood vessels. Ultimately, this is remodelled over an extended period, returning the injured tissue to a state similar to that before injury. Dysregulation in any phase of the wound healing cascade delays healing and may result in various skin pathologies, including nonhealing, or chronic ulceration. Indigenous and traditional medicines make extensive use of natural products and derivatives of natural products and provide more than half of all medicines consumed today throughout the world. Recognising the important role traditional medicine continues to play, we have undertaken an extensive survey of literature reporting the use of medical plants and plant-based products for cutaneous wounds. We describe the active ingredients, bioactivities, clinical uses, formulations, methods of preparation, and clinical value of 36 medical plant species. Several species stand out, including Centella asiatica, Curcuma longa, and Paeonia suffruticosa, which are popular wound healing products used by several cultures and ethnic groups. The popularity and evidence of continued use clearly indicates that there are still lessons to be learned from traditional practices. Hidden in the myriad of natural products and derivatives from natural products are undescribed reagents, unexplored combinations, and adjunct compounds that could have a place in the contemporary therapeutic inventory.

<p>Effect of <em>Aloe vera</em> Gel, <em>Calendula officinalis</em> Ointment and Simple Prophylactic Sacral Dressings for Pressure Injury Development</p>

“…21 Calendula officinalis also named pot marigold used for several skin health condition. 23,24 Calendula officinalis extract rich of monoesters, triterpenoids, triterpene alcohols, triterpene oligoglycosides, and flavonoids. 25 Thus, the present study was designed with the aim of comparing the effect of Aloe vera gel, Calendula officinalis ointment and simple prophylactic dressings on pressure injury development in patients admitted to ICU.…”

Regenerative Wound Dressings for Skin Cancer

“…The skin has the ability to repair itself following injuries due to surgery, trauma, or burns through cutaneous wound healing processes [ 116 ]. Generally, it involves four main stages, namely coagulation, inflammation, granulation, and remodeling, finally resulting in wound closure ( Figure 4 ) [ 116 , 117 ].…”

“…The skin has the ability to repair itself following injuries due to surgery, trauma, or burns through cutaneous wound healing processes [ 116 ]. Generally, it involves four main stages, namely coagulation, inflammation, granulation, and remodeling, finally resulting in wound closure ( Figure 4 ) [ 116 , 117 ]. However, wound areas larger than 2 cm 2 , wound duration longer that 2 months, and increased wound depth which results in tendon, ligament, or bone exposure are the three main factors which delay or stop the healing process.…”

Evaluation of the Healing Potential of Myracrodruon urundeuva in Wounds Induced in Male Rats

“…Among the medicinal species studied, two of them (Aloe vera and Mimosa tenuiflora) are native from Brazil (Lordani et al 2018). In addition, evidences (see Shedoeva et al 2019, for a review) indicate the use of medicinal plants and plant-based products for cutaneous wound. Among the species studied, several stand out including Centella asiatica, Curcuma longa, and Paeonia suffruticosa.…”