Wound healing activity of certain root drugs - A review from classical and ethnomedicinal claims

Abstract

Drugs of herbal origin consist a major part in all traditional systems of medicine. Recently, focus on plant research is increased, due to the great potential of medicinal plants used in various traditional systems. Wounds are one of the major causes of physical disabilities. Traditional medicinal plants are remarkable for their significant potential to treat wounds in different tribal areas, all over the world. Many ethnomedicinal survey reports, research articles, and books have been published highlighting the use of medicinal plant for the management of wound. Recent research reveals that some of these plants are renowed either clinically or experimentally for their wound healing activities. Many plants are yet to be studied for their traditional claims. Single hand information regarding these plants with their specific parts used is still lacking. Present study reports the wound healing activity of 221 root drugs, being reported in 14 books and 70 research articles, related to ethnobotany and ethnomedicine. It is noticed that roots of ethnomedicinal plants belonging to 72 families (Fabaceae - 13, Rubiaceae - 12, Vitaceae - 11, Euphorbiaceae - 11, Asteraceae - 9, etc.) are reported for their wound healing activity. Among them, 122 plants reported for topical application, 6 for oral administration, and 6 for both oral and topical. Maximum drugs are used in paste form followed by juice, decoction, and ash form.