Studies on some wound healing medicinal plants

Abstract

Wound is defined as a loss or breaking of cellular and anatomic or functional continuity of living tissues. Proper healing of wounds is essential for the restoration of disrupted anatomical continuity and disturbed functional status of the skin. Healing of wound is a biological process that is initiated by trauma and often terminated by scar formation. Current estimates indicate that nearly 6 million people suffer from chronic wounds worldwide. Community based epidemiological study of wounds in India revealed the prevalence of acute and chronic wounds as 10.55 and 4.48 per 1000 population respectively. Healing of chronic lower extremity wounds is a global problem. Research on wound healing agents is one of the developing areas in modern biomedical sciences. Continuous use of modern wound healing drugs causes major side effects like dangerous drug interactions, liver damage, liver failure and minor side effects include headache, stomach upset, diarrhea, itchiness and rashes. Side effects associated with allopathic drugs and synthetic compounds, has prompted research into herbal and natural products.