Recent advancement in molecular pathways and receptor targeting using natural products for wound healing activity

Wound healing is a physiological process that has multiple phases of inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling that all need to be conducted in a coordinated manner by different cell types, cytokines, and signalling pathways. Recent developments in herbal medicine have shown the therapeutic potential of natural compounds in the augmentation of wound healing by regulation of molecular pathways and receptor targets. This narrative review addresses the wound healing role of herbal medicine using specific examples of growth factor receptors such as Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-β Receptor, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor, and Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor. Immune receptors including Toll-like Receptors and NOD-like Receptors are also involved in regulation of inflammation and immune response during wound healing. In addition, the review addresses the role of neurotransmitter receptors in pain relief and healing of wounds. Some of the herbal extracts, including Aloe vera, Calendula officinalis, Curcuma longa, honey, and Centella asiatica, have shown very good wound-healing activity owing to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. The comparative analysis of plant-derived and animal-derived natural drugs also focuses on their curative potency in wound healing. Thus, information regarding molecular mechanisms associated with the use of herbal medicine in wound healing may help in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for chronic and non-healing wounds.