Review on Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Its Herbal Approach to Treatment

Abstract

Diabetes, a silent killer and globally renowned disease, has enormously afflicted most parts of the world causing serious health issues to an individual, many of which suffer financially. There are several outbreaks of this disease, but diabetic foot ulcer is a dreadful situation imparting harsh skin ailments to an individual’s feet. The etiology of these ulcers includes high glucose levels, improper foot hygiene, etc. The pathophysiology of diabetic foot ulcers involves oxidative stress to the nerve tissues and other complications leading to loss of sensation in the patient’s feet along with skin dryness. Many times, diabetes remains undiagnosed but the foot ulcers can be evaluated by the latest electro-diagnostic, radiological, or vascular studies. Once identified, they can be treated with several topical antibiotics and certain foot assistance methods. Besides allopathic medication, one can also opt for herbal treatment as many herbal species are still unnoticed having specific phytochemicals and ought to be an ultimate source for wound healing, some of them are Radix rehmanniae, Martynia annua, Cortex phellodendri, Angelica dahurica, and Moringa oleifera A few of these plant species possess anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and other potent therapeutic properties which enhance the wound healing process as per its physiology and with minimal side effects. Some Ayurvedic formulations like Jatyadi Ghrita also contribute efficiently to this ailment that can be applied to foot ulcers to gain positive results.