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Investigation of the Healing Effects and Mechanisms of Select Medicinal Plants on Diabetic Ulcers: A Review
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Jamshid Mohammadi1   , Hadi Ebrahimi2 , Ali Honarvar2 , Mehrzad Jafari Barmak2 , Mohammad Mazaheri3 |
1- Yasuj University of Medical Sciences , j.mohammadi.4554@gmail.com
2- Yasuj University of Medical Sciences
3- Isfahan University of Medical Sciences |
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Abstract: (112 Views) |
Objective: Diabetes mellitus is characterized by severe complications, including diabetic ulcers, which in 15–20% of cases may result in amputation or mortality. These ulcers present substantial therapeutic challenges owing to their complex pathological mechanisms. Consequently, the identification of efficacious interventions to expedite the healing of diabetic ulcers is of paramount importance. Considerable research attention has been directed toward discovering effective pharmacological agents for diabetic wound repair. This review aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of various medicinal plants and elucidate their mechanisms of action in the management of diabetic ulcers, drawing on prior studies conducted in Iran.
Matherials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify pertinent studies. Search terms included "diabetic ulcers," "medicinal plants," "wound repair," "Iranian traditional medicine," and specific plant names such as Vitis vinifera, Launaea acanthodes, Nigella sativa, Morus nigra, Parvifelora fumaria, Elattaria cardamomum, Foenum graecum, Melilotus officinalis L., Curcuma longa L., Prosopis farcta, and Ferula assa-foetida. From an initial yield of 36 articles, 26 were selected for detailed assessment and analysis following a screening process.
Results: The results demonstrate that extracts from various medicinal plants, including grape seed (Vitis vinifera), Launaea acanthodes, black seed (Nigella sativa), mulberry (Morus nigra), fumitory (Parvifelora fumaria), cardamom (Elattaria cardamomum), fenugreek (Foenum graecum), sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis L.), turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), Prosopis farcta rootm, walnut (Juglans regi), and asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida), contain bioactive constituents such as polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamins, and antioxidants. These compounds exhibit significant efficacy in promoting diabetic ulcer healing by mitigating oxidative stress, enhancing collagen synthesis, inducing angiogenesis, and attenuating inflammation. Furthermore, certain extracts display antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which prevent secondary infections and facilitate the wound healing process in diabetic patients.
Conclusions: Despite notable progress in the therapeutic management of diabetic ulcers, existing treatments often yield limited efficacy and function synergistically rather than independently. The utilization of medicinal plants emerges as a more effective strategy for diabetic wound management. These plants offer advantages over conventional allopathic medications, including reduced adverse effects, lower costs, widespread availability, and superior performance in chronic conditions. Herbal remedies facilitate wound healing through multifaceted mechanisms, positioning them as a viable alternative to modern pharmacotherapies. Based on the evidence synthesized in this review, the application of medicinal plants represents one of the most promising approaches for the treatment of diabetic ulcers.
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| Keywords: Herbal remedies, Diabetic ulcers, Wound healing, Iranian Traditional medicine |
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Type of Study: Review Article |
Subject:
Physiology
Received: 2025/03/11 | Accepted: 2025/06/8 | Published: 2025/11/30
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Mohammadi J, Ebrahimi H, Honarvar A, Jafari Barmak M, Mazaheri M. Investigation of the Healing Effects and Mechanisms of Select Medicinal Plants on Diabetic Ulcers: A Review. armaghanj 2025; 30 (6) URL: http://armaghanj.yums.ac.ir/article-1-3782-en.html
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