The Role of Phytochemicals in Enhancement of Wound Healing and Skin Scarring.

Abstract

Wound healing is the complex, but natural process that occurs in three overlapping phases in response to any injury. Various dressings and ointments made of natural products were used for many centuries to enhance this process and reduce the presence of scars. Natural products have been used historically and they are preferred by many communities over synthetic drugs, as they are affordable, effective, and have fewer side effects. Phytochemicals are chemical substances derived from plants and have shown notable efficacy in enhancing wound healing and reducing skin scarring. This is based on various studies conducted by many researchers globally, but there is still a gap in highlighting the mechanisms involved in these actions. The aim of the present paper is to review the current published studies about the role of phytochemicals in the enhancement of wound healing and reduction in skin scarring, in addition to looking for the mechanisms by which they act on wounds. Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched; the inclusion criteria depended on articles being published in English from January 2010 to August 2020. Moreover, titles, abstracts, and the full text of selected articles were read to decide whether they are relevant or not.

Keywords

Phytochemicals, wound healing, skin scarring, phytonutrients, scars, wound.

Results: The review conducted has shown that phytochemicals have confirmed wound healing effectiveness and further medicinal activities. However, the studies in this field are still in their infancy. Further human clinical trials are required and recommended to identify the mechanisms by which phytochemicals affect wounds and scars.