Wound healing is a natural repair mechanism that aims to restore the affected tissue quickly (Yang et al., 2021). Although literature reports research associated with biological, immune, and biochemical events, they all converge in that healing is a process that occurs in specific stages where perfectly coordinated cells participate. In addition, it has been demonstrated that factors can compromise healing to the extent of making it impossible to recover the function of the affected organ (Järbrink et al., 2017). On the other hand, demonstrating the efficacy of wound-healing therapies is a complex challenge because the available models that demonstrate wound-healing activity allow exploring wound healing in stages, and it is necessary to use several models to determine the level of the wound-healing effect (Singh et al., 2017). Modern medicine applies therapies that promote healing, all of which have a specific basis. On the other hand, there are drugs whose active ingredients are synthetic or natural molecules, and others are still under research and development because there is no special treatment that can resolve all wounds as a general way (Zindle et al., 2021).

Natural molecules are extracted from biological sources, and plants are the most used source. Since the dawn of humanity, man has used plants to treat his health problems, while the WHO reports that 80% of the population uses them to treat their ailments (World Health Organization, 2024). That is why the present review focuses on healing medicinal plants, particularly those from Latin America, since it covers around 15% of the Earth’s surface and contains a wide biodiversity (Quijas et al., 2019; Raven et al., 2020; Alarcon Ruiz et al., 2023). Therefore, the analysis of the reports for these species provides relevant information regarding the use of medicinal plants as a source of secondary metabolites, as well as their validation of popular use by vulnerable populations whose health culture is mainly based on herbal medicine.

In the present review, Latin American scar-healing plants were selected regardless of the year because no similar review exists. The search keywords were: “healing effect of secondary plant metabolites,” “healing medicinal plant,” “healing plant extract,” “healing plants,” “wound healing,” “wound healing,” “wound healing process,” “wound healing mechanism,” “factors influencing wound healing,” “skin and wound healing,” “wound healing therapies,” “wound healing secondary metabolites,” “stages of wound healing,” “wound healing complications,” “wound treatment alternatives,” “wound healing models,” “wound healing effect,” “wound healing activity,” “wound healing biochemistry,” “wound healing effect assays.” The search yielded 477 scientific publications, of which those that were not written in English or did not have precise information were discriminated. Scientific articles on wound-healing plants that were not from Latin America were discriminated; the topics of wound-healing therapies, models of biological wound-healing trials and wound-healing treatments were considered to be 10 years old. Databases were created in order to present relevant information on plants, biological models, and therapies in tabular and graphical formats. The databases were created using Elsevier, SciFinder, PubMed, and Google Scholar, selecting the most representative sources, and a total of 223 references were considered.

Wound care is reported to be a multi-billion-dollar problem worldwide and only in USA it affects 5.7 million people (∼2% of the population) at an annual cost of $20 billion, i.e., nearly 15% of Medicare beneficiaries (8.2 million patients), and a conservative estimate of its annual cost is $28 billion (Järbrink et al., 2017; Nussbaum et al., 2018). In other countries such as the UK, chronic wound treatment and care accounts for 3% of total healthcare expenditure in developed countries (Järbrink et al., 2017). Chronic wounds are expected to remain a major clinical, social, and economic challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income country economies, although there are preclinical studies on scaffolds and dressings with promising results, translational evidence supporting their application (Jodheea-Jutton et al., 2022).

Skin accounts for 16% of the body weight, covering an average surface area of 1.85 m², representing the human body’s largest organ. It also plays a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis and as a protective barrier against the external environment to prevent infections and fluid losses (Díaz-García et al., 2021; Ellis et al., 2018). A skin wound results from the breakdown of the epidermal layer integrity with anatomical integrity disruption and functional loss (Jakovija and Chtanova, 2023; Cioce et al., 2024). Since the skin serves as the protective barrier against physical and chemical threats, exposure to radiation or thermal stress, and pathogen entry, a wound radically compromises its functionality (Petkovic et al., 2021), therefore, the ability of an organism to repair or regenerate tissues is a definite advantage for surviving (Díaz-García et al., 2021; Cioce et al., 2024). A wound that has failed to heal in 4 weeks is defined as a chronic wound (Järbrink et al., 2017) however, delayed wound healing in specific populations might be prevented or improved with appropriate therapies to lessen morbidity, loss of limb, and mortality (Falanga et al., 2022; Cioce et al., 2024). Chronic wounds are more susceptible to infections, and poor healing is a challenging problem for both patients and caregivers, affecting them physically, mentally, and socially, causing repercussions on their quality of life (Järbrink et al., 2017).

The skin is the largest organ in the body; anatomically, it has multiple cells that fulfill the role of protection, temperature regulation, water regulation, and aesthetic functions (Cañedo-Dorantes and Cañedo-Ayala, 2019). Therefore, it is the organ most exposed to all external agents, whereby, it has developed defense mechanisms such as healing to avoid compromising its functioning, using the different layers of the skin with their respective cells (Cañedo-Dorantes and Cañedo-Ayala, 2019; Larouche et al., 2018). Likewise, the rest of the body organs have a healing mechanism that is activated when they experience a trauma or stimulus, in general, healing is a set of physiological, dynamic, synchronized, and interdependent mechanisms that try to rebuild the skin, the mucosa or other tissue that has been damaged. It is made up of different phases, depending on the severity of the trauma; the healing time can last days, months, and even years. Figure 1 shows the phases and subphases of healing (Kucharzewski et al., 2019; Díaz-García et al., 2021; Cioce et al., 2024).

The skin has three layers (epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis), in each of which some cells work synchronously to perform the functions of the skin. However, it can have lesions that must be repaired through the healing mechanism to recover its functions (Rodrigues et al., 2019).

This complex mechanism involves numerous biochemical, immunological, and physiological reactions. Healing encompasses the phases of hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Each phase simultaneously repairs the injury (Rodrigues et al., 2019; Kucharzewski et al., 2019).

With the rupture of any of the structural levels of the blood vessel such as the external superficial tunica or adventitia, the tunica media made up of muscle fibers or the tunica intima or endothelium, primary hemostasis is activated (Figure 2), defined as the physiological phenomenon that stops bleeding, acts as a defense mechanism, and helps to protect the integrity of the vascular system. The blood that leaves the ruptured endothelium releases von Willebrand factor (vWF), and upon contact with the collagen of the vascular wall, it promotes the activation of platelets, transforming the blood into a solid clot through tissue factor (TF), which seals the injured area and stops the bleeding (Rodrigues et al., 2019; Sorg and Sorg, 2023).

The platelet plug at this stage is weak and matures through secondary hemostasis, involving the coagulation cascade, which is responsible for creating a mature and stable fibrin plug. The coagulation cascade is activated by the extrinsic (first to appear) and intrinsic (amplification of the coagulation process) pathways. The first pathway releases thrombin through tissue factor (TF), which is activated when the blood vessel ruptures, while the intrinsic pathway is triggered by platelet activation; together they generate a provisional matrix that guides fibroblast migration and ultimately repairs the wound (Rodrigues et al., 2019; Sorg and Sorg, 2023; Díaz-García et al., 2021). The process involves coagulation factors that form fibrin and anticoagulant proteins that regulate and control coagulation by preventing factors activated at a specific point from dispersing and producing generalized coagulation (Petkovic et al., 2021; Kucharzewski et al., 2019). Finally, the fibrinolysis phase is triggered. This process eliminates unnecessary fibrin, thus achieving vessel repair and reestablishing vascular flow. This phase is promoted by tissue plasminogen activators and urinary plasminogen activators, whose task is to diffuse from endothelial cells and convert plasminogen absorbed in the fibrin clot into plasmin (Petkovic et al., 2021; Kucharzewski et al., 2019). Plasmin degrades the fibrin polymer into small fragments degraded by the monocyte-macrophage clearance system (Figure 3A).

Following hemostasis, vasodilation subsides and favors circulating cells that reach the wound site. Histamine, complement derivatives, prostaglandins, bacterial peptides, and fibrin degradation products promote this stage by attracting monocytes and neutrophils. Monocytes transform into macrophages, reaching a maximum population between 24 and 48 h, and enter the wound to destroy bacteria and remove harmful agents.

Inflammation is the defensive phase; its objective is to destroy bacteria and eliminate debris, allowing the wound bed to grow new tissue in a clean area. Neutrophils migrate to the injury site, releasing elastase and collagenase enzymes to destroy the damaged tissue and phagocytize the bacteria in the wound. Subsequently, they are trapped in the clot and eliminated by apoptosis (Figure 3B) (Rodrigues et al., 2019; Ellis et al., 2018).

Additionally, macrophages perform several tasks simultaneously; some participate in the debridement of damaged tissue, and at the same time, others undergo a genetic change in their mRNA and secrete cytokines (growth factors and interleukins) that drive the wound healing phases, stimulate cells such as fibroblasts and epidermal cells for wound closure (Ellis et al., 2018; Kimura and Tsuji, 2021). Platelets, macrophages, lymphocytes, and endothelial cells release these growth factors and interleukins into the wound. Macrophages secrete most of the substances that promote healing. The inflammatory phase lasts 4–6 days and manifests as edema, redness, heat, and pain (Rodrigues et al., 2019; Larouche et al., 2018; Leonida et al., 2016).

Growth factors and interleukins secreted by macrophages are released into the wound area, stimulating fibroblast migration to form the extracellular matrix and epithelialization from the wound edges. Fibroblasts form collagen fibers, hyaluronic acid, and proteoglycans; in addition, they are receptors of fibronectin, which allows them to migrate through the clot and synthesize collagen; when the granulation tissue progresses, macrophages reabsorb the clot into the wound bed allowing the passage of collagen fibers type I, II, and III into the connective tissue (Rippon et al., 2022; Kimura and Tsuji, 2021).

Fibroblastic migration is accompanied by neovascularization of the area, and fibroblasts secrete angiogenic factors promoting capillary formation and providing oxygen and nutrients for collagen synthesis. Gradually, the granulation tissue turns reddish in response to the angiogenesis, which proceeds smoothly (Figure 4A). During the resorption of the clot, the provisional extracellular matrix is formed, the main composition of which is fibroblasts, collagen I, II, III, and the fundamental substance formed by hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans (Kimura and Tsuji, 2021; Petkovic et al., 2021).

Subsequently, a more stable secondary matrix is formed, promoted by TGF-b and hyaluronic acid. The fibroblasts change their structure (their Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum increase in size to produce a greater amount of proteins). A new type of collagen I, III, V, and elastin are synthesized, providing elasticity to the matrix. On the other hand, some fibroblasts acquire smooth muscle properties. These changes promote wound epithelialization (Larouche et al., 2018; Petkovic et al., 2021).

In the epithelialization phase, the stages of migration of epithelial cells from the borders, multiplication, and differentiation of the formed dermis develop. Simultaneously, the synthesis of the dermo-epidermal junction occurs because of the interaction between the dermis and epidermis. Growth factors coordinate this interaction. Keratinocytes proliferate from the edges of the wound towards the center. They are stimulated by growth factors released by epithelial cells (epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor alpha, fibroblast growth factor, and keratocyte growth factor) (Rippon et al., 2022; Leonida et al., 2016).

Once the granulation tissue matures, the keratinocytes proceed to transit the fibronectin of the extracellular matrix; this fact favors the formation of the basement membrane and binding proteins, which in turn allows for normal epidermal proliferation (Rippon et al., 2022; Leonida et al., 2016).

Next, the collagen fibers undergo remodeling, while the capillaries exhibit necrosis and are reabsorbed by macrophages, and their space is replaced by collagen fibers (Figure 4B). This stage consequently generates a change in the texture of the scarred skin. The wound proceeds to contract and may last from months to years, depending on the wound area and depth (Larouche et al., 2018; Petkovic et al., 2021).

It should be noted that the stages of healing are still being studied, as well as the factors that promote ideal conditions. However, it is important to note that when healing does not flow, and some stages are delayed, tissues can be compromised. The inability of patients to close wounds for prolonged periods drastically affects their quality of life, causing pain, loss of mobility, social isolation, and risk of depression, especially in patients where chronic wounds are associated with a higher risk of amputation, without considering that they can also be associated with life-threatening infection (Rippon et al., 2022; Larouche et al., 2018). For this reason, therapies, medications, and alternatives have been developed to induce healing. Some of them are described below.

Various factors can contribute to impaired wound healing. Broadly, these factors can be divided into local and systemic categories. Local factors directly affect the wound’s specific characteristics, considering systemic factors pertaining to the individual’s overall health or underlying conditions that influence their healing capacity (Guo and DiPietro, 2010).

Local factors include foreign bodies, venous insufficiency, oxygenation (tissue hypoxia), and infections (Guo and DiPietro, 2010). Among these factors, infections are particularly significant as they occur when a skin injury allows microorganisms, normally confined to the surface, to penetrate the underlying tissues. The classification (Khalil et al., 2017) cation of the wound (whether as contaminated, colonized, locally infected/critically colonized, or suffering from spreading invasive infection) depends on the presence and replication status of these microorganisms (Edwards and Harding, 2004). Bacteria and endotoxins can prolong the inflammatory phase by sustaining elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines. If unresolved, this persistent inflammation can lead to chronic wounds that fail to heal (Menke et al., 2007). Oxygenation also plays a critical role in wound healing. Oxygen supports cellular metabolism, prevents wound infections, promotes angiogenesis, and aids keratinocyte differentiation, migration, and epithelialization (Rodriguez et al., 2008). It further enhances fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and wound contraction (Bishop, 2008; Cialdai et al., 2022). While temporary hypoxia following an injury can stimulate healing, prolonged or chronic hypoxia impairs the process (Hong et al., 2014).

On the other hand, systematic factors include chemotherapy, nutrition, stress, age, and disease. For example, studies report that chemotherapy drugs and anticoagulants prevent the inflammation phase of the healing process and, therefore, increase the risk of wound infection, increasing healing time. Also, other medications, such as low-dose topical corticosteroids and antibiotics, accelerate wound healing (Khalil et al., 2017; Wagner et al., 2008). However, the authors report that other factors, such as being over 65 years of age, pressure/friction/shear, non-adherence to treatment, infection, obesity, stress, anxiety, and depression, are also important in poor wound healing and increased wound complications significantly affecting healing times, regardless of pharmacological treatment (Ubbink et al., 2015).

On the other hand, reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in both the physiological and pathological aspects of wound healing. They are involved in various processes of skin tissue regeneration, including the regulation of inflammation, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, granulation tissue formation, and extracellular matrix development (Dong and Wang, 2023; Xu et al., 2020). Overproduction and accumulation of ROS obstruct the change of wound tissue from the inflammatory stage to the proliferative stage. Consequently, the wound area becomes chronically inflamed, resulting in delayed wound healing (Deng et al., 2019).

As already mentioned, psychological conditions can directly influence wound healing processes. Psychological stress can indirectly modulate the repair process by promoting the adoption of unhealthy behaviors. Furthermore, increased production of glucocorticoids and catecholamines while under stress, or decreased expression of proinflammatory cytokines at the wound site, can directly influence several components of the healing process, such as the initial inflammatory phase (Ebrecht et al., 2004; Gouin and Kiecolt-Glaser, 2011).

This highlights that successful wound healing is a multifactorial process influenced by external factors and each patient’s individual internal conditions.

Chronic wounds are characterized by their inability to heal within an expected timeframe. Over the last several decades, they have emerged as an increasingly important clinical problem due to their higher incidence and greater recognition of associated morbidity and socio-economic burden 3 (Falanga et al., 2022). Chronic wounds are often related to conditions (Figure 5) such as obesity, diabetes, and old age and fall into three categories: pressure ulcers, arterial or venous ulcers, and diabetic ulcers (Nuutila et al., 2014).

Pressure injuries are localized skin and soft tissue injuries that develop due to prolonged pressure exerted over specific areas of the body, typically bony prominences; common locations for these ulcers include over the sacrum, ischial tuberosity, greater trochanter, heel, and lateral malleolus(Gaspar et al., 2019; Mervis and Phillips, 2019). Most people affected by pressure ulcers are those who have mental or physical health conditions that favor immobility, especially those who are confined to bed or chair for prolonged periods (Leblebici et al., 2007). External and internal factors co-occur to form these ulcers; externally, prolonged pressure, friction, shear force, and moisture can lead to tissue deformation and ischemia. Internal factors such as malnutrition, anemia, and endothelial dysfunction can speed up the process of tissue damage (Anders et al., 2010; Bansal et al., 2005).

Venous ulcers are late manifestations of chronic venous insufficiency and venous hypertension. That can cause disability and severe complications (Bonkemeyer Millan et al., 2019). As the global population ages, the disease has shown a worldwide growing incidence (Robles-Tenorio et al., 2024). Most risk factors for developing venous ulcers are non-modifiable, and patients often present more than one. These involve a family history of chronic venous insufficiency, advanced age, female sex, previous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, multiparity, lipodermatosclerosis, and musculoskeletal and joint disease (Santler and Goerge, 2017). Modifiable risk factors such as obesity and sedentarism are also associated with venous disease (Santler and Goerge, 2017).

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic endocrine disorder due to an overall deficiency of insulin (Type 1) or defective insulin function (Type 2), which causes hyperglycemia (Meulendijks et al., 2020). A complication of diabetes mellitus is diabetic ulcers, which leads to increased overall morbidity in patients. Patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2 have a total lifetime risk of a diabetic foot ulcer complication as high as 25% (Packer et al., 2023). Diabetic foot ulcers are classified as neuropathic, ischemic, or a combination of both, that is, neuroischemi (Boulton et al., 2008). However, around 90% of diabetic foot ulcerations are diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Chronic wounds harm health-related quality of life due to the physical injury, the treatment required, the chronicity of the condition, and the likelihood of recurrence. The likelihood of wound healing is highly associated with wound-based and patient-based factors or attributes, such as age and associated diseases, such as diabetes (Guo and DiPietro, 2010).

As described, wound healing is the process of tissue repair involving the tissue response to injury (Steed, 1997). Any failure in the normal wound healing process results in abnormal scar formation and a chronic state more susceptible to infection (Díaz-García et al., 2021; Kolimi et al., 2022). Currently, the therapeutic strategies used for wound healing depend on the type of wound and the intrinsic regenerative capacity (Edmonds et al., 2000; Kolimi et al., 2022). Treatments for wounds, including surgical and non-surgical, are shown in Figure 6.

Growth factors (GFs) are polypeptides that bind to specific receptors on the cell surface, initiating signaling pathways that activate key molecules. These activated molecules may further stimulate cytoplasmic proteins or promote the transcription of new proteins (Singer and Clark, 1999). GFs regulate cell growth, differentiation, and metabolism through these mechanisms across the three phases of wound healing (Steed, 1997). In addition to driving the proliferation, differentiation, and migration of repair cells like keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and vascular endothelial cells, GFs also influence repair cell apoptosis, extracellular matrix composition, DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, glycolysis, and tissue remodeling (Han et al., 2020).The topical application of growth factors shows promise in treating various skin wounds by accelerating healing or preparing healthy beds for surgical intervention (He et al., 2024). Key growth factors in wound healing and skin regeneration include PDGF, VEGF, EGF, TGF-α, IGF, bFGF, KGF, and TGF-β1‒3 (Park et al., 2017). Growth factors are essential in skin regeneration, highlighting their importance in regenerative medicine and wound treatment (Mitchell et al., 2016).

The wound healing process is also influenced by our skin’s endogenous electric potential, also dubbed the endogenous skin battery (Farber et al., 2014). These endogenous electric fields play a critical role in wound healing, resulting in endogenous currents acting as cues for cellular migration, which concomitantly help heal wounds (Sun, 2017; Zhao, 2009). The therapeutic use of electrical stimulation in medical practice has been established, particularly in pain and wound management (Rajendran et al., 2021). Electrotherapy may have multiple modes of action in wound healing; one possible mechanism is introducing an exogenous electrical signal in the complex cellular and biochemical events within the wound itself. Another method consists of increasing blood circulation through the wound site by stimulating the operation of the peripheral arterial and vascular systems through an electrical signal applied to the muscle motor nerve (Sun, 2017; Zhao, 2009). Commonly used waveforms for electrical stimulation therapy are direct current, alternating current, pulsed current, and degenerate wave (Kloth, 2014).

Vacuum-assisted closure is a non-invasive, negative pressure healing technique to treat chronic, non-healing wounds. This technique uses controlled subatmospheric pressure to remove excess wound fluid from the extravascular space, i2mproving local oxygenation and peripheral blood flow (Enoch et al., 2006; Genecov et al., 1998). This promotes angiogenesis and the formation of granulation tissue, which are particularly useful in deep cavitating wounds to expedite the filling of the wound space (Enoch et al., 2006; Kairinos et al., 2009). This method requires thorough debridement, adequate hemostasis, and application of sterile foam dressing. A fenestrated tube is embedded in the foam, and the wound is sealed to make it airtight. The fenestrate tube is connected to a vacuum pump with a fluid collection container. The machine delivers continuous or intermittent suction, ranging from 50 to 125 mmHg (Timmers et al., 2005). Using vacuum-assisted closure and negative-pressure therapy, it is possible to stabilize the wound, reduce edema and bacterial load, improve tissue perfusion, and stimulate granulation tissue (Agarwal et al., 2019).

Hyperbaric oxygen has been recommended as an adjunctive therapy to treat a variety of non-healing wounds (as many non-healing tissues are hypoxic) (Enoch et al., 2006). It promotes neutrophil-mediated bacterial killing ability in hypoxic tissue. Also, it prevents the release of proteases and free radicals in specific injuries, thereby decreasing vasoconstriction, edema, and cellular damage (De Smet et al., 2017). The treatment is administered by increasing atmospheric pressure in a chamber while the patient is exposed to 100% oxygen. Since wounds need oxygen to heal correctly, exposing one to 100% oxygen can speed healing (Jones and Cooper, 2023).

Ozone therapy has accelerated healing by minimizing inflammation and reducing edema (Naik et al., 2016). Suggested mechanisms of therapeutic enhancement are that it acts as a potent oxidizing agent (Sagai and Bocci, 2011) and enhances tissue repair by removing defective cells, bacteria, and viruses by acting as a powerful disinfectant (Greer et al., 2012). It has also been shown to promote angiogenesis and stimulate fibroblast activity, further accelerating wound healing (Pchepiorka et al., 2020). This therapy has proven particularly effective in treating diabetic foot ulcers, ischemic wounds, and peripheral vascular disease, representing some of its most common applications (Adhikari and Khanal, 2013) (Smith et al., 2017). On the other hand, the route of administration can be by exposure to gaseous ozone within a hyperbaric chamber, application of ozonized oils, or ozonized water (Azarpazhooh and Limeback, 2008; Fitzpatrick et al., 2018).

Plasma, the fourth state of matter, is an ionized gas comprising both stable components (gases) and reactive elements such as ions, energetic particles, and radicals (Adhikari and Khanal, 2013). The use of plasma for wound healing and tissue regeneration has been advanced by developing the “Plazon” system. This system employs a rapidly quenching hot air plasma jet, resulting in a relatively high nitrogen oxide (NO) concentration with significant therapeutic effects (Shekhter et al., 1998). A plasma device operates in two distinct modes: the “hot mode,” in which the plasma jet is used for rapid coagulation, sterilization of wound surfaces, removal and desiccation of dead tissue and pathological growths, as well as tissue dissection, and the “cold mode,” which provides a flow of nitrogen oxide-enriched plasma gas at a temperature of 20°C–40°C to stimulate regenerative processes and enhance wound healing (Fridman et al., 2008). The physical mechanism of plasma-based treatment involves the generation of free radicals and reactive species for the desired wound healing-promoting effects. In contrast, the biological mechanism exploits various cellular processes responsible for DNA and cell membrane damage of bacteria (Kolimi et al., 2022).

Photobiomodulation (PBM) involves the use of nonionizing forms of light from sources including lasers, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and broadband light in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectra to cause physiological changes and therapeutic benefits (Houreld, 2019). Both in vitro and in vivo, it effectively promotes wound healing and cell proliferation. PBM has been used successfully in the healing of diabetic wounds because it reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, accelerates essential cell proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition, and enhances tissue repair (Mgwenya et al., 2024). On the other hand, It has been suggested that laser irradiation in the red light region increases activity in the plasma membrane of cells (Kujawa et al., 2014). The optimal wavelength for treatment is generally considered to be 810 nm. However, wavelengths ranging up to 950 nm are needed to reach cutaneous tissue sites and below the tissue (Wang et al., 2017). It is currently considered that stem cell bioactivity, such as cell migration, proliferation, survival, and overall cellular niche, can be enhanced or positively modulated by PBM (Zamani et al., 2020). Despite this, PBM is not used in mainstream medicine, and this is largely due to a lack of comprehension of the therapy and the molecular mechanisms underlying it (Mgwenya et al., 2024).

Skin grafting is the transfer of cutaneous tissue from one portion of the body to another, often used to cover large wounds. It provides a barrier function that limits wound desiccation, fluid loss, and bacterial contamination and protects underlying viable tissue. In addition, it improves the granulation tissue and becomes incorporated into the recipient tissue bed (Braza and Fahrenkopf, 2023; Hermans, 2011). Autografts are derived from a patient’s healthy skin. Challenges in autograft use include the introduction of a new wound, contracture and scar formation, infection and bleeding risk, and decreased or increased sensation (Shi and Ronfard, 2013). However, autografts provide the advantages of availability and decreased immunogenicity (Chandler et al., 2020).

Skin allografts, or homografts, are tissues harvested from a donor site of the same species with different genetic components (Hermans, 2011). The main lines of attack on the allograft problem are the host’s immune response and the possibility of disease transmission (Megahed et al., 2021).

Skin xenografts may be a temporary, initial treatment that prepares the wound bed for autologous transplantation. When using xenografts, factors such as immunogenicity and disease transmission must be considered (Ma et al., 2008). The most common xenografts used to treat chronic wounds include porcine, bovine, and, more recently, fish (Stubenitsky et al., 2009; Yamamoto et al., 2018).

Hydrogels are intricate three-dimensional structures composed of hydrophilic polymer chains and exhibit a quick swelling response upon contact with water, forming a partially solid material (Ahmed, 2015). They have been proposed as potential remedies because they provide a moist environment that facilitates wound healing (Gounden and Singh, 2024). Hydrogels can be classified according to polymeric composition as homopolymeric hydrogels are referred to polymer networks derived from a single species of monomer, copolymeric hydrogels are comprised of two or more different monomer species with at least one hydrophilic and multipolymer interpenetrating made of two independent cross-linked synthetic and natural polymer components, contained in a network form (Hacker and Mikos, 2011; Maolin et al., 2000). Hydrogels possess biodegradability and biocompatibility, allowing them to serve as a temporary template throughout the re-epithelialization and remodeling of chronic wounds (Maaz Arif et al., 2021).

Cell therapy can be applied for both acute and chronic wounds. In acute treatment wounds, cell therapy can increase the wound healing rate, reduce scar contracture, and minimize donor-site morbidity. On the other hand, in treating chronic wounds, including diabetic ulcers, attempts are made to convert the wound bed into an environment where maximum wound healing can be achieved by transplanting cells with an excellent wound healing capacity to the wound bed (Park et al., 2010; You and Han, 2014). Cell therapy can use autologous or allogeneic cells. Autologous cells accelerate wound healing by reducing the time needed for the host cells to invade the wound tissue and by early synthesis of new skin (Seo et al., 2007). Allogeneic cells promote migration and proliferation of host cells from the wound beds and edges because these cells release growth factors, extracellular matrices, and basement membrane components (You and Han, 2014).

Ultrasound waves have emerged as a promising alternative or adjunctive strategy for chronic wounds (Alkahtani et al., 2017). These waves are delivered to the body and soft tissues and undergo diffusion. The molecules progressively lose their energy through vibrating as the waves pass through the tissue. The range of ultrasonic frequencies that are utilized for therapeutic ultrasound spans ranges from 20 kHz to about 3 MHz (Mason, 2011). In vitro studies have shown that the therapeutic outcomes of ultrasonic waves on tunneling, or debilitation wounds are mainly through killing multi-drug resistant bacteria (Serena et al., 2009). Several in vitro studies have shown that these waves improve cell proliferation, collagen production, bone formation, and angiogenesis (Speed, 2001).

The characteristics of the wound, its etiological nature, and other factors in the clinical history, together with regular follow-up, help the healthcare team to know at what stage of the healing process the wound is in and to decide the best therapeutic approach. The investigation of any physiological process depends on the use of models; there is no single appropriate model due to the lack of an ideal comprehensive model that approximates humans; a combination of models is a better alternative to studying the complex cellular and molecular interactions that take place during the wound healing process in an appropriate biological environment (Masson-Meyers et al., 2020; Menke et al., 2010; Parnell and Volk, 2019; Sami et al., 2019).

Over the last few decades, efforts to understand the healing process have been redoubled, and experimental models of wound healing have been developed to try to fully explain tissue regeneration and test new treatment strategies (Masson-Meyers et al., 2020; Wilhelm et al., 2017). These models are currently divided into in vitro, in vivo, and in silico (Table 2).

In vitro and in vivo models have provided valuable information for many medical discoveries and advances. In vitro models, such as cell culture, scratch model, and skin explant culture, are essential in several of these studies; in vivo models involve wounding a laboratory animal and observing wound closure over time (Ansell et al., 2012; Grada et al., 2018; Masson-Meyers et al., 2020). However, they are not always adequate and in many cases are unable to support finding the actual etiology of lesions; for example, the intricate biological pathway that takes place during wound healing is not always reflected in animal models, so it is necessary to consider human models, because these models are not always good predictors, but provide helpful insight into acute wound disease pathology. On the other hand, several mathematical equations have been used to evaluate the phases of healing in the in silico models, but one of the disadvantages is that they lack the biophysical characteristics of human skin and remain theoretical until biologically confirmed by in vitro or in vivo models (Sami et al., 2019). The usual course of healing is known, but for a thorough understanding of the kinetics of cell types and subtypes and the signaling pathways or intermediates involved, to cite a few examples, it is necessary to address the problem both in the laboratory and the clinic (Nuutila et al., 2014; Zindle et al., 2021; 2021). Even in the clinical area, it is difficult to understand chronic wound processes because human models are not always good predictors, and it is difficult to have adequate volunteers with chronic wounds, so human models of chronic wounds provide a better opportunity to understand the wound healing process. Several factors can influence wound healing (aging, infections, medications, nutritional status, obesity, diabetes, venous insufficiency, and peripheral arterial disease) (Grada et al., 2018; Wilhelm et al., 2017). The lack of optimal preclinical models capable of adequately recapitulating human wounds remains a significant challenge and is worth further study.

Certainly, the therapies described in this review are widely used and recommended, as are biological assays to determine their efficacy. However, since the beginning of mankind, man has used medicinal plants to solve his health problems, and the treatment of wounds with medicinal plants is no exception.

Numerous reports validate the widespread use of different plant species in traditional medicine with a healing effect. Our review focuses on plant species that grow in the area known as Latin America, which stands out for having about 50% of the planet’s biodiversity, which allows it to sustain natural ecosystems that provide welfare to society. Unsurprisingly, Latin American countries have species used in traditional medicine as healers (Armenteras et al., 2021).

Brazil reports 88 wound-healing plant species, making it the country with the most excellent knowledge of its plants with wound-healing effects. On the other hand, Mexico reports 23 species, while Peru has 9, and the rest of the countries report fewer species. It is worth mentioning that Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Costa Rica have at least one study on healing plants (Figure 7). Only a few of the plants studied were introduced into the region, which indicates that the research focuses on native plants. These data suggest that the study of medicinal plants with wound-healing uses is fundamental because plants are the primary source of natural products.

The bar chart looks at the seven botanic families most studied in Latin America for their wound-healing effect. However, 62 botanic families are reported in research articles. Despite this, only five families have three or more published articles (Table 3; Supplementary Table S1).

There is a noticeable increase in the number of studied species of Fabaceae. This family has 17 species with scientifically proven research, followed by Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae, which have 15 and 10, respectively. The other families only have one or two reports (Figure 8).

The chart shows that the three main models used to evaluate the wound-healing capacity in vitro are: Scratch assay is the most common model, with 72.34% of research, followed by MTT assay, with 23.40%. The sum of these two models is approximately 95% of research made (Supplementary Table S2).

On the other hand, Fibroblasts from Swiss mice and HaCaT cells were used in the Scratch assay and MTT assay, and healing effects were shown in both models (Figure 9).

On the other hand, the most popular in vivo assay is the excisional wound model, used in more than 50% of the investigations performed in Latin America. The incisional wound is also frequently used, sometimes in comparison with the excisional wound. These models were mostly tested in Wistar rats or Swiss mice; other biological models were also used (Figure 10).

On the other hand, bioactive compounds from different plant species have been reported; the main ones are shown in Figure 11. These compounds are of different chemical nature, suggesting that there are still compounds with healing potential (Supplementary Table S3).

Among the species worth highlighting from the families shown in Figures 8, 9, is the effect of the alcoholic extract of Achillea asiatica flowers belonging to the Asteraceae family, with an impact on cutaneous wound healing (in vitro and in vivo), demonstrating that the treatment significantly increased epithelialization and accelerated wound healing in a rat model (Dorjsembe et al., 2017). A relevant species of the Fabaceae family is Glycyrrhiza glabra, with a healing effect on full-thickness dermal wounds in a rat model, gastric wound healing, oral mucosal, ulcers, and colitis, and even the extract of this plant was effective in wound healing in guinea pig (Hanafi et al., 2018). Very recently, in a study with Jatropha mollissima (Pohl) Baill. (Euphorbiaceae) which is widely used in traditional medicine to treat skin disorders; a topical gel containing the hydroethanolic extract of its leaves showed potential for wound healing, providing an accelerated wound healing effect (process in 3 and 5 days) in rats (Passos et al., 2024).

Although some studies claim that multiple drugs are necessary to ensure combined pro-regenerative functions, drugs do not follow the wound healing cascade in real time, so it is essential to develop new treatments that can act on pathogenic molecules and cells with multiple targets and intervene in the cascade.

It is, therefore, essential to develop new treatments that can act on pathogenic molecules and cells with multiple targets and intervene in the wound-healing cascade (Cai et al., 2023). Therefore, it is essential to continue searching and testing treatments that either come directly from medicinal plants and are used as herbal medicines or are based on the structural relationship of some bioactive molecules found in plant species, which allow us to have more alternatives that are essential, given the increase in chronic degenerative diseases that lead to the development of wounds such as diabetic foot ulcer.

Wound healing is a global health problem that requires attention because its phases must flow synchronously. When wound healing is prolonged, and its phases do not heal promptly, complications may arise that compromise the recovery of the damaged tissue. Wound healing depends on the patient’s state of health, age, and diet, among other factors. For this reason, it is suggested that treatments that promote healing be incorporated and validated using appropriate trials to guarantee their safe use. On the other hand, medicinal plants are a privileged source of healing compounds. Unfortunately, most of them have not been scientifically validated. Particularly, Latin American countries are geographically favored because they have environmental conditions that allow high biodiversity; taking advantage of natural resources to solve health problems is a valuable contribution that gives back significantly to society. Finally, the species reported now with healing effects come from different families. Therefore, continuing ethnomedical studies of species popularly used as healers is essential.