The skin, our largest organ, protects us from infections, regulates temperature, and supports immune function. Yet it’s vulnerable to chronic wounds, infections, and pigmentation disorders. Conventional treatments often fall short—facing rising antimicrobial resistance and side effects. This has sparked growing interest in African medicinal plants, long used in traditional medicine and rich in bioactives like polyphenols, flavonoids, and essential oils. This review evaluates their potential in antimicrobial defense, wound healing, and pigmentation control, offering promising plant-based alternatives to modern skincare challenges.
Key Findings
🌿 Wound-Healing:
- Emilia coccinea, Entada africana, Lawsonia inermis, and others achieved full wound contraction by day 16 in models.
- Effects were attributed to antioxidant, collagen-boosting, and angiogenesis-promoting compounds like flavonoids and phenolics.
- Some extracts outperformed conventional agents like silver sulfadiazine.
🦠 Antimicrobial Activity:
- Harpagophytum procumbens and Pistacia atlantica showed strong activity against S. aureus, C. albicans, and C. acnes.
- Bridelia micrantha and Entada africana demonstrated broad-spectrum inhibition via tannins and flavonoids.
- Some extracts disrupted bacterial walls and inhibited key enzymes.
🌞 Melanogenesis Inhibition:
- Ormocarpum trichocarpum, Limonium boitardii, and Acacia nilotica inhibited tyrosinase activity more effectively than kojic acid.
- Pigment reduction was due to phenolic flavonoids interfering with melanin biosynthesis.
African medicinal plants show high potential as safe, effective, and affordable therapies for skin disorders. This review highlights over 50 plant species with proven benefits in wound repair, infection control, and pigment modulation. Their diverse bioactive profiles provide viable alternatives to conventional treatments with fewer side effects. Going forward, standardization, clinical validation, and advanced formulations will be key to integrating these botanicals into modern dermatological practice—ushering in a more holistic and sustainable approach to skin health.
Link to the study: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/12/4/132
