A skin ulcer is a type of open wound on the skin caused by injury, poor
circulation, pressure, or infection. Specific forms of wounds are described using
distinct terms, such as surgical incision, burn, and laceration. Skin ulcers can be
extremely painful and take a long time to heal. They can become infected and cause
other medical complications if left untreated. Treatment for skin ulcers is determined
on the basis of the ulcer condition as well as the underlying cause. However, there is
still a shortage of effective and safe medications for skin ulcer since current treatment
guidelines for wound management consists only of wound dressing, antibiotics, and
pain control. Wound healing and anti-inflammatory agents used for treating skin ulcers
are quite limited. Recent revelations about natural compounds and their multifunctional
pharmacological attributes, especially those with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial,
antioxidant and wound-healing activities, have been very encouraging for therapeutic
skin ulcer development. Various phytochemicals, such as curcuminoids, flavonoids,
xanthones, polyphenolic compounds, saponins, and terpenoids, were reportedly used as
alternative agents for the treatment of skin ulcers. This chapter describes skin ulcers,
their pathophysiology, as well as current therapeutic protocols. In addition, some
selected phytochemicals and herbal extracts with strong prospects as well as their
commercially available products for the treatment of skin ulcers, are highlighted.
Keywords: Anti-inflammation, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Skin ulcer, Wound healing.
