CARVACROL AS A VERSATILE THERAPEUTIC MOLECULE: MECHANISMS OF ACTION, ROLE IN WOUND REPAIR, AND NOVEL DRUG DELIVERY APPROACHES

The escalating crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has catalysed a global search for novel therapeutic agents, particularly for complex clinical challenges like infected wounds. Carvacrol, a natural phenolic monoterpenoid derived from essential oils of the Lamiaceae family, has emerged as a compelling candidate due to its remarkable pharmacological versatility. This comprehensive review synthesizes the current body of evidence on carvacrol's therapeutic potential, focusing on its mechanisms of action and applications in wound healing and infection control. We critically examine its potent, broad- spectrum antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities, which are primarily attributed to its ability to disrupt microbial membrane integrity. Furthermore, we explore its synergistic host- modulating properties, including potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that mitigate pathological inflammation and oxidative stress in the wound microenvironment, and its demonstrated ability to stimulate fibroblast proliferation and migration. Despite this profound potential, carvacrol's clinical translation is severely hampered by significant physicochemical limitations, including poor aqueous solubility, high volatility, and potential for skin irritation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of advanced drug delivery strategies, including polymeric nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), electro spun nanofibers, stimuli-responsive systems, and hydrogels, that have been developed to overcome these barriers. Special emphasis is placed on the nanoemulgel platform, a hybrid system that effectively enhances carvacrol's bioavailability and topical applicability. By bridging the gap between its intrinsic pharmacological power and practical application, these nanotechnological approaches are paving the way for carvacrol to become a next-generation therapeutic for wound management.