Unveiling the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants in zebrafish caudal fin regeneration and wound healing: a systematic review.

Abstract

This systematic review aims to examine the existing literature on the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants to improve caudal fin regeneration and wound healing in zebrafish (Danio rerio), focusing on uncovering their pharmacological properties and potential use in enhancing tissue repair and regeneration. A thorough review of suitable and eligible full-text articles was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from 1 st January 2014 to 31 st December 2024. These articles were searched using the Medical Subject Headings terms "zebrafish," "zebrafish larvae," "zebrafish embryo," "angiogenesis," "Medicinal plants," "Natural products," "Fin regeneration," "wound healing," and "inflammation." Here, 520 articles on medicinal plants and their potential in caudal fin regeneration and wound healing in zebrafish were identified across the databases searched, of which 26 were included in this study following screening. After thoroughly reviewing the articles, some were found to have used multiple medicinal plants. Thus, 38 medicinal plants were found to have promoted effects on zebrafish caudal fin regeneration and wound healing, and 21 revealed no effects on either caudal fin regeneration and wound healing. This systematic review explores the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants in caudal fin regeneration and wound healing in a zebrafish model. The results show a promising effect of various plant species in enhancing fin regeneration and wound healing. Further research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms and to translate these findings into clinical applications for human wound healing and regenerative medicine.