Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Cutaneous Wounds: a case study

Cutaneous wounds are still a problem in human and animal health due to their complexity of treatment and recurring complications, generating high costs. Worldwide, there are more than 110 million surgical incisions per year. Traumatic wounds occur at a rate of 1.6 million cases per year. The healing of acute wounds is a complex and dynamic process, involving the participation of soluble mediators, blood cells, extracellular matrix and parenchymal cells. There are thousands of products on the market for the treatment of acute and chronic wounds. The use of traditional products produced from medicinal plants is an alternative in the healing process, as well as to reduce financial burdens. This work investigated the healing use of Inga subnuda and Pseudopiptadenia contorta through: preparation of plant extract; formulation of creams in different concentrations from the plant extracts; in vivo pharmacological tests with experimental induction of surgical wounds and burns in rabbits; analysis of hematological and biochemical parameters; evaluation of the wound contraction index and histological analysis of scar tissue.