WOUND HEALING AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL OF TOPICAL HERBAL FORMULATIONS

Abstract Wound healing is a multifaceted process that involves a series of complex biological events aimed at restoring tissue integrity after injury. Inflammation, an essential phase of healing, plays a crucial role but, when prolonged or dysregulated, can impair wound closure and promote chronic conditions. Herbal formulations have gained prominence as effective topical treatments due to their bioactive compounds that exhibit anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and wound healing properties. This review explores the advantages of using herbal agents like Aloe vera, Curcuma longa, Centella asiatica, and Azadirachta indica in wound care, highlighting their mechanisms of action, which include antioxidant, antimicrobial, collagen-promoting, and anti-inflammatory effects. These medicinal plants also play a significant role in modulating key cytokines, growth factors, and enzymes that influence tissue repair and inflammation. The review underscores the potential of herbal formulations as natural, safe, and effective alternatives to conventional therapies in managing wounds and inflammation, with evidence from both traditional use and modern scientific studies. It concludes with the need for further research to validate these treatments and integrate them into contemporary clinical practices.