The Potential of Medicinal Plants and Natural Products in the Treatment of Burns and Sunburn—A Review

Abstract

Treating burns remains a challenge for modern medicine, especially in developing countries that cannot afford expensive, advanced therapies. This review article summarises clinical and animal model studies of botanical preparations and their mixtures in treating burn wounds and sunburn. Articles available in electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and Google Scholar, published in English in 2010–2022, were considered. In the described clinical trials, it was shown that some herbal preparations have better effectiveness in treating burn wounds, including shortening the healing time and reducing inflammation, than the conventional treatment used hitherto. These herbal preparations contained extracts from Albizia julibrissin, Alkanna tinctoria, Aloe vera, Arnebia euchroma, Betula pendula and Betula pubescens, Centella asiatica, Hippophaë rhamnoides, Juglans regia, Lawsonia inermis, and mixtures of Matricaria chamomilla and Rosa canina. Research on animal models shows that many extracts may potentially benefit the treatment of burn wounds and sunburn. Due to the diverse mechanism of action, antibacterial activity, the safety of use and cost-effectiveness, herbal preparations can compete with conventional treatment. The growing interest in alternative medicine and herbal medicine encourages further research. Not only single preparations but also their mixtures should be taken into account because the research conducted so far often suggests a synergistic effect of the ingredients.

Therapeutic potential of Lawsonia inermis Linn: a comprehensive overview

“…Recent studies from Skowrońska and Bazylko ( 2023 ) where severe burns have been treated with the herbal ointment fundermol, which comprises Lawsonia inermis and beeswax. The preparation’s precise chemical makeup is not known.…”

An Overview of Recent Developments in the Management of Burn Injuries

“…In addition, these ointments are often used in the routine care of superficial burns of the face. However, the aforementioned agents can also cause side effects such as leucopenia, delayed wound healing [23], hyperventilation, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis [16] or auditory nerve toxicity [106], whereas the side effects of natural agents may be fewer and milder [107].…”

“…Aloe vera gel (Asphodelaceae) has a rich history of medicinal use dating back to ancient cultures. Numerous studies have been conducted over the years to investigate its pharmacological properties, including antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects [107]. It is well known for its benefits to the skin, particularly in wound healing [108][109][110], and as an ingredient in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.…”

New Megastigmane and Polyphenolic Components of Henna Leaves and Their Tumor-Specific Cytotoxicity on Human Oral Squamous Carcinoma Cell Lines

“…In this study, a chromatographic investigation of phenolic-rich fractions of the henna leaf extract led to the isolation of a new megastigmane, lawsoiononoside (1), together with the first-time isolation of tannin-related phenolics, benzyl 6 -O-galloyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), benzoic acid (3), and ellagic acid (4), whereas an extensive investigation of the tanninrich fractions led to two glucopyranose-type ellagitannins (5 and 6) in addition to four known C-glycosidic ones (7)(8)(9)(10). The cytotoxicity of the abundant ellagitannins (8)(9)(10) to various human oral cancer and normal cell lines was examined in the present study.…”

“…Henna, which refers to the dye prepared from the plant, is naturally grown from Northeast Africa to India and has been extensively used for centuries in the Middle East, Far East, and Northern Africa as a cosmetic dye for nails, hands, hair, and textiles. It has also been used to tackle skin issues, headaches, jaundice, amebiasis, and spleen enlargement [3][4][5]. The plant extracts and purified constituents of henna account for a variety of activities, including anti-Alzheimer's, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, cytotoxic, antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic, hypotensive, sedative, and anticancer effects (Figure 1) [3,[6][7][8][9][10].…”