Phytonanotechnology for Enhanced Wound Healing Activity

Abstract

Wound healing consists of systematic progression of events that helps re-establish the integrity of the damaged tissue. Several natural compounds have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and cell-stimulating properties which contribute to accelerated healing process. Although these natural compounds possess a myriad of biological properties and in general less expensive than the modern treatments, their applications are limited due to batch-to-batch variation leading to contradictory clinical results. However, nanotechnology is a promising tool that can overcome the disadvantages of the natural compounds when they are used alone. In this chapter, we have focused majorly on types, uses, applications and mechanism of action of various phyto-nanomaterials in different phases of wound healing. We have also provided the literature reports available on various in vitro and in vivo studies on use of phyto-nanoformulations for wound healing. Available literature indicates that very few phytocompounds have been converted into nanoformulation for wound healing applications and more research needs to be carried out to explore the potential of other phytocompounds known to possess wound healing activity using nanotechnological strategies. Also, different nano-drug delivery systems can be explored for effective delivery of the phytocompounds at the wound site. In the near future, phyto-nanotechnology can be a boon for the clinicians to treat various non-healing chronic wounds.