Phytotherapeutic mechanism of medicinal plants with wound-healing potential: a mini-review

The applications of medicinal plant species for diverse therapeutic effects are well documented throughout the world. In recent times, the screening of higher plants for unique biologically active compounds, particularly those with pronounced therapeutic potency, has received the interest of the science community. A wound is a loss or break in the anatomic stability of active tissue. It not only poses a physical and mental threat to zillions of people but could cause the failure of multiple organs, amputation, and even death. Therefore, thousands of plants have been screened to obtain active metabolites or compounds that can accelerate the process of restoring the damaged tissue structure and inhibit the probability of infections. Due to the severity of wounds to the human body, it is essential to explore safe, economical, and environmentally friendly therapeutics from nature. This review aims to conduct a comprehensive search of medicinal herbs to uncover their therapeutic potential, identify gaping holes, and assess future research prospects that could lead to the discovery of novel pharmacophores. Thus, the review is tailored towards the appraisals of phytotherapeutic mechanism and wound healing efficacy of medicinal plants, which will help spur future research and improve our current knowledge leading to the unearthing of novel and potent pharmacophores with pronounced wound healing potentials. Several medicinal plants with scientifically proven wound-healing activities are reported and discussed alongside phytochemicals present their various extracts and isolates. The achievable wound-healing closure rate of each plant was also reported with a focus on what is responsible for the healing rate.