Chronic wounds have a high disease burden and significantly influence patient quality of life. The development of chronic wounds is multifactorial and thus adequate management and care is often difficult to achieve. Chronic diseases, malnutrition, smoking, immune dysregulation, and age contribute to chronic wound development. Treatment options include adequately addressing underlying conditions and selecting appropriate topical preparations which enhance and promote healing of different wounds based on an understanding of wound healing pathophysiology. Puerarin, a naturally occurring flavinoid, may offer therapeutic potential for addressing etiologies as well as managing wound beds due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, pro-angiogenic, and anesthetic properties.
Keywords: alternative medicine; chronic wounds; pain assessment; puerarin; wound dressing.