A review on wound healing herbs

Corresponding author: Katikala Hemanth Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0. A review on wound healing herbs Katikala Hemanth 1, *, Yerikala Ramesh 2, Venugopalaiah Penabaka 2 and Yadala Prapurna Chandra 3 1 IV Year B.Pharmacy, Ratnam Institute of Pharmacy, Pidathapolur (V & P), Muthukur (M), SPSR Nellore District-524 346. 2 Department of Pharmaceutics, Ratnam Institute of Pharmacy, Pidathapolur (V & P), Muthukur (M), SPSR Nellore District524 346. 3 Department of Pharmacology, Ratnam Institute of Pharmacy, Pidathapolur (V & P), Muthukur (M), SPSR Nellore District524 346. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025, 33(02), 484-497 Publication history: Received 15 October 2025; revised on 25 November 2025; accepted on 28 November 2025 Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2025.33.2.0470 Abstract Wound healing is a dynamic physiological process involving hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling phases, which collectively restore the structural and functional integrity of damaged tissue. Conventional therapies, although effective, are often limited by issues such as antimicrobial resistance, cytotoxicity, and high cost. Herbal agents have gained substantial attention as safer and cost-effective alternatives due to their multifaceted pharmacological actions and minimal side effects. Numerous medicinal plants including Aloe vera, Curcuma longa, Centella asiatica, Azadirachta indica, Calendula officinalis, and Lawsonia inermis have shown remarkable efficacy in enhancing tissue regeneration through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and angiogenic activities. Phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, and phenolic acids contribute to collagen deposition, fibroblast proliferation, epithelialization, and faster wound contraction. Preclinical and clinical studies corroborate these effects, demonstrating improved wound closure rates and reduced infection. Despite these promising results, challenges such as poor standardization, limited bioavailability, variability in plant composition, and lack of large-scale clinical validation hinder the full clinical translation of herbal wound therapies. Recent innovations integrating herbal bioactives with nanotechnology, hydrogels, and polymeric dressings offer new directions for next-generation wound management. This review compiles current evidence, highlights mechanistic insights, and discusses limitations and future perspectives for developing effective, standardized herbal wound-healing formulations. Keywords: Herbal agents; Wound healing; Phytochemicals; Antioxidant activity; Anti-inflammatory effect; Nanotechnology; Smart biomaterials 1. Introduction The regeneration and repair of injured tissue are components of the biological process of wound healing. This method is necessary to keep skin healthy and free of infections. According to .and modification of extracellular matrix, particularly collagen, a variety of cellular processes, including as inflammation, migration to the injured area, proliferation, angiogenesis, deposition, and others, can be engaged in the intricate and varied process of wound healing. Ointments, creams, and powders are among the many synthetic and semi-synthetic wound healing products on the market. But in recent years, natural products have gained increased attention as possible wound healers due to their efficacy and safety. Natural substances have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine and have shown promise in hastening the healing of wounds1. These natural components can be used as drug delivery vehicles or applied directly to wounds, according to by promoting the growth of new blood vessels and acting as a scaffold for cell proliferation, they can help wounds heal. The use of herbal treatments in modern medicine has become increasingly significant for wound healing and tissue repair2. Furthermore, studies by have demonstrated the potential of plant- GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025, 33(02), 484-497 485 based nanomaterials to control the wound-healing process. Given this, a thorough analysis of natural products for wound healing is required. This review will look at the effectiveness of natural chemicals in wound healing and how they work. Natural-based products may play an essential role in wound healing3. They not only promote tissue repair but also have antibacterial characteristics that assist prevent infection. By treating wounds with natural products, we can help the body's natural healing process. This enables us to harness the power of nature. The goal of this study is to analyze the efficiency of natural substances in accelerating tissue repair and investigating their potential for wound healing. With an emphasis on natural wound healing, this study will look into how well diverse natural substances promote tissue regeneration and manage the complex wound healing process4. Natural materials in wound care have received a lot of attention due to their safety, efficacy, and capacity to accelerate the healing process. Furthermore, natural products provide the patient with both physical and psychological comfort, making them a comprehensive approach to wound healing. To summarize, natural products have demonstrated encouraging outcomes in wound healing due to their efficacy, safety, and ability to induce tissue repair. By harnessing the power of nature, these products can aid in the regeneration of damaged tissue and prevent infection, thereby expediting the healing process5. 2. Classification of Wound Etiology, location, type of injury or presenting symptoms, depth of the wound, tissue loss, and clinical appearance are some of the ways that wounds can be categorized. Wounds are classified as open and closed wound on the underlying cause of wound creation and acute and chronic wounds on the basis of physiology of wound healing. 2.1. Open wounds As blood exits the body in this case, bleeding is clearly visible. It is additionally categorized as an incised wound, wound from a tear or laceration, abrasions or minor injuries, wounds from punctures, Gunshot wounds andpenetration wounds6. 2.2. Closed wounds Blood stays in the body but leaves the circulatory system in closed wounds. Hematomas or blood tumors, contusions or bruises, crush injuries, etc. are included. 2.3. Acute wounds Acute wound is a tissue injury that normally precedes through an orderly and timely reparative process that results in sustained restoration of anatomic and functional integrity. Acute wounds are usually caused by cuts or surgical incisions and complete the wound healing process within the expected time frame 7. 2.4. Chronic wounds Chronic wounds are wounds that have failed to progress through the normal stages of healing and therefore entera state of pathologic inflammation chronic wounds either require a prolonged time to heal or recur frequently. 3. Physiology of Wound Healing It is possible to think of the wound healing process as a dynamic one in which matrix and cellular components work together to replace lost tissue and restore the integrity of injured tissue [Figure 2]. Regardless of the source or the extent of tissue damage, under normal conditions the wound healing process occurs in predictable fashion in four stages: inflammation, migration, proliferation and maturation (remodelling). Wound Healing is considered to complete when the skin surface has reformed and has regained its tensile strength8. 3.1. Stags of wound healing [hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, remodeling] 3.1.1. Hemostasis If the skin is injured, vasoconstriction of the vessel walls is the automatic reaction to stop bleeding. Next, two concurrent and mechanistically interconnected pathways contribute to primary hemostasis and secondary hemostasis.15The platelet plug and the fibrin mesh combine to form a thrombus that stops bleeding, releases accompaniments and growth factors, and provides a temporary scaffold for infiltrating cells that are necessary for wound healing.9 GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025, 33(02), 484-497 486 3.1.2. . Inflammation The inflammatory process occurs shortly after the injury, which typically lasts between 24 and 48 hours and may, in some cases last for up to 2 weeks. The inflammatory phase initiates hemostatic pathways immediately to stop the bleeding from the site of the wound. As a result, clinically identifiable cardinal signs of inflammation, redness of the skin, color, tumor, pain, and functio-laesa emerge. Vasoconstriction and platelet aggregation to cause blood clotting and consequently, vasodilatation and phagocytosis to produce inflammation at the wound site are distinguished by this process.10 3.1.3. Proliferation The proliferative process begins the following damage on the third day and continues for about 2 weeks afterward. It is characterized by fibroblast migration and newly synthesized extracellular matrix deposition, serving as a substitute for the fibrin and fibronectin provisional network. This process of wound healing can be seen at the macroscopic stage as an abundant development of granulation tissue.11 3.1.4. Remodeling This final stage of wound healing involves a gradual deterioration of the granulation tissue. In order to create functional tissue, the skeletal muscle epidermis, dermal vasculature, nerves, and myofibers undergo remodeling [Figure 1]. A scar of low cellularity is created when Type I collagen, which is further rearranged into parallel fibrils, dissolves and replaces Type III collagen of the granulation tissue due to the action of collagen metalloproteinases generated by fibroblasts and macrophages. This final phase will take months to complete.12 Figure 1 Different Phases of skin wound healing GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025, 33(02), 484-497 487 Figure 2 Physiology of Wound Healing 4. Factors affecting wound healing The two types of factors influencing wound healingLocal &Systematic factors.39 4.1. Local factors Local factors include infection by the organization of tissue that interrupts healing, exposure to ultraviolet light facilities curing, movement of the affected part of the healing delay, poor blood supply which shows delay in healing, exposure to ionizing radiation delay granulation, foreign bodies including sutures interferes in healing.13 4.2. Systematic factors Systematic factors comprise diabetics are more prone to infection and hence delay healing, wound healing is speedy in young and slow In aged people, hematological aberrations also disturbs healing, administration of glucocorticoids (antiinflammatory) interrupt healing, nutritional deficiency of vitamin C and zinc delay healing.14 4.3. Age Epithelialization is delayed in healthy individuals as they age. While wound non-collagenous protein deposition decreases with aging, collagen synthesis remains unchanged. This deterioration may jeopardize the mechanical properties of scars in the elderly. 4.4. Body type Body form can also influence the healing of woundsFor example, insufficient blood supply to adipose tissue might impede wound healing in obese patients. In addition, there is protein malnutrition in some obese patients, which further impedes recovery.On the other hand, when a patient is malnourished, the lack of oxygen and nutrition storage might impede the healing of wounds.15 GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025, 33(02), 484-497 488 4.5. Nutrition For over a century, food has been acknowledged as a crucial factor influencing the healing of wounds. The most obvious effect on wound healing is that hunger or certain nutritional deficiencies after trauma and surgery can have a significant effect. Patients with chronic or non-healing wounds and those with nutritional deficiencies also require special nutrients. The metabolism of energy, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals will all affect the healing process16. 5. Herbs with wound healing activity 5.1. Azadirachta indica Azadirachta indica, commonly known as Neem, possesses strong wound healing properties due to its antibacterial, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Neem extracts promote collagen formation, enhance wound contraction, and accelerate epithelialization [Figure 3]. Its bioactive compounds such as nimbidin and azadirachtin play a key role in reducing infection and supporting tissue regeneration.17 5.2. Curcuma longa Curcuma longa, commonly known as Turmeric, is renowned for its potent wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties. The active compound curcumin accelerates the healing process by promoting collagen synthesis, enhancing granulation tissue formation, and reducing oxidative stress at the wound site. It also exhibits strong antimicrobial activity, preventing infection and promoting faster tissue regeneration. Additionally, curcumin modulates various growth factors and cytokines involved in wound repair, making it a valuable natural remedy for skin injuries.18 5.3. Barbadensis Aloe Aloe barbadensis, commonly known as Aloe vera, is a medicinal plant widely used for its therapeutic and cosmetic properties. It contains bioactive compounds such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, and polysaccharides, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing effects. In cancer research, Aloe vera extracts have shown potential anticancer activity by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting tumor growth through modulation of cell signaling pathways. The gel derived from its leaves is also used to soothe burns and enhance skin regeneration. Owing to its natural healing abilities, Aloe barbadensis plays a significant role in phytotherapy and modern herbal medicine.19 5.4. Allium cepa Allium cepa (Onion) is a widely cultivated medicinal and dietary plant known for its rich content of organosulfur compounds, flavonoids (especially quercetin), and phenolic acids. These bioactive molecules exhibit strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. Studies have shown that Allium cepa extracts can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, and prevent DNA damage caused by free radicals. 5.5. Calendula officinalis Calendula officinalis is widely used for its effective wound healing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. The flavonoids and triterpenoids present in the plant promote collagen production, angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration. Calendula extracts help reduce swelling, control infection, and accelerate wound closure by enhancing epithelialization. It is commonly applied in creams and ointments for burns, cuts, and ulcers.20 5.6. Papaya Carica Carica papaya is well-known for its wound healing potential due to the presence of proteolytic enzymes like papain and chymopapain, which help in debridement of necrotic tissue and promote faster healing. It exhibits strong antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, reducing infection and oxidative stress at the wound site. Papaya extracts enhance collagen synthesis, epithelialization, and granulation tissue formation, making it effective in treating burns, cuts, and chronic wounds. Its topical application is widely studied for accelerating tissue regeneration and improving wound contraction. 5.7. Mangifera indica Mangifera indica, commonly known as Mango, exhibits significant wound healing properties due to its rich content of polyphenols, flavonoids, and mangiferin. These bioactive compounds provide strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects, which help in preventing infection and reducing oxidative stress at wound sites. Mango leaf GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025, 33(02), 484-497 489 and bark extracts stimulate collagen synthesis, enhance epithelialization, and promote granulation tissue formation, thereby accelerating wound contraction and tissue regeneration. Its traditional use in topical formulations has been supported by various experimental studies demonstrating improved healing in burns, cuts, and chronic wounds.21 5.8. Eugeina Plants Recent studies have also shown that oil from Eugenia dysenterica leaves promotes angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and anti-inflammatory responses at the site of injury, and it is not cytotoxic. 5.9. Propolis Propolis is extracted from the plant by bees to protect their hives from microbial invasion. Therefore, this substance inherits anti-microbial characteristics. It is also a potent anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti carcinogenic compound. Propolis is rich in multiple compound composition, which includes resin, wax, alcohol, phenolic compounds, ketones, amino acids, vitamins, and other small elements. Recent reviews have suggested that it is an efficient therapeutic option for wound treatment22. 5.10. Blumea Balsamifera Blumea balsamifera (BB), also known as Ngai camphor, is widely used in Chinese medicine for dermatological conditions. Extracts from leaves, roots, and branches have shown great pharmacological significance in the treatment of snake bites, as well as anti-coagulant, anti-oxidant, and anti-carcinogenic properties. Oil from BB plants also has wound-healing capacities, as seen by the stimulation of fibroplasia, angiogenesis, and collagen regeneration23. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025, 33(02), 484-497 490 Figure 3 Medicinal plants with wound healing effects 6. Phytoconstituents Responsible for Wound Healing Wound healing is a complex biological process involving inflammation, proliferation, and tissue remodeling. Medicinal plants contain a wide range of bioactive phytoconstituents that accelerate these phases by exhibiting antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and collagen-stimulatory properties [Figure 4]. The major classes of wound-healing phytoconstituents include polysaccharides, flavonoids, curcuminoids, triterpenoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and essential oils24. 6.1. Polysaccharides Polysaccharides are important constituents in many wound-healing herbs such as Aloe vera, Plantago major, and Mimosa tenuiflora. In Aloe vera, the acemannan fraction enhances fibroblast proliferation, collagen deposition, and GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025, 33(02), 484-497 491 epithelialization. These compounds also maintain a moist environment that supports cellular migration and angiogenesis. 6.2. Curcuminoids (Curcumin) Curcumin, the principal curcuminoid of Curcuma longa, has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It downregulates NF-κB and COX-2 pathways, enhances collagen synthesis, and promotes angiogenesis . Curcumin-loaded nanoparticles and hydrogels have shown improved wound contraction and re-epithelialization in animal and clinical studies25. 6.3. Tannins, Saponins, and Alkaloids Triterpenoid saponins such as asiaticoside and madecassoside from Centella asiatica stimulate fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis. They also improve tensile strength and reduce scarring in healed tissue. 6.4. Flavonoids and Other Phenolics Flavonoids such as quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, and catechins exert potent antioxidant effects by scavenging reactive oxygen species and protecting tissues from oxidative stress . They also modulate inflammatory mediators like TNF-α and IL-6 and exhibit antimicrobial properties, thereby accelerating wound contraction and closure 26. Figure 4 Formulation of herbs 7. Mechanism of Action of Herbal Agents in Wound Healing Wound healing is a complex, multi-stage process involving inflammation, tissue proliferation, and remodeling. Herbal agents contribute to this process through a variety of mechanisms that restore tissue integrity, minimize infection, and enhance repair [Figure 5]. The bioactive phytoconstituents present in medicinal plants — such as flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and polysaccharides — act synergistically on molecular and cellular pathways involved in wound closure 27. 7.1. Anti-inflammatory Activity Inflammation is the initial response to tissue injury. Herbal compounds like curcumin (Curcuma longa), asiaticoside (Centella asiatica), and eugenol (Ocimum sanctum) inhibit pro-inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factorα (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). This modulation reduces excessive inflammation, allowing the wound to progress to the proliferative phase moreefficiently28. 7.2. Antioxidant Activity Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during inflammation can damage cellular structures and delay healing. Herbal antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and vitamins neutralize free radicals and enhance antioxidant enzyme GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025, 33(02), 484-497 492 activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase). For example, quercetin, curcumin, and catechins protect fibroblasts and keratinocytes from oxidative stress, promoting faster wound contraction and epithelialization. 7.3. Antimicrobial and Antiseptic Effects Infection control is critical for effective wound healing. Many herbs, including Azadirachta indica (neem), Aloe vera, and Calendula officinalis, contain secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, tannins, and essential oils with broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. These phytochemicals disrupt microbial cell walls, inhibit nucleic acid synthesis, and prevent bacterial colonization of wound sites . Reduced microbial load prevents chronic inflammation and secondary infections. Herbal agents enhance fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis, which are vital for granulation tissue formation and wound strength. Triterpenoids such as asiaticoside and madecassoside stimulate type I collagen synthesis through activation of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. Curcumin also upregulates fibroblast migration and enhances collagen cross-linking, improving tensile strength of healed tissue29. 7.4. Angiogenesis and Cell Proliferation Certain herbal compounds promote angiogenesis — the formation of new capillaries — which is crucial for supplying oxygen and nutrients to regenerating tissue. Extracts from Centella asiatica and Curcuma longa increase expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), thereby accelerating granulation tissue formation and wound closure . 7.5. Moisture Retention and Barrier Formation Polysaccharides from Aloe vera and Plantago major form a protective hydrogel layer that retains moisture, prevents dehydration, and provides a conducive environment for epithelial migration. This moist condition supports keratinocyte proliferation and minimizes scab formation, enhancing aesthetic healing outcomes. 7.6. Immunomodulatory Effects Figure 5 Herbs against womens diseases Herbal constituents such as saponins, polysaccharides, and alkaloids modulate immune responses by enhancing macrophage activation and cytokine secretion. This activity promotes debris clearance and transition from inflammatory to proliferative phases . Improved immune regulation reduces chronic inflammation and tissue fibrosis30