Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance: The beneficial effect of common agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria L.) on chronic wound healing has been repeatedly observed. According to the literature, this herb has been used, either in monotherapy or in combination with other herbs, in traditional medicine since ancient times.
Aim of this review: The large body of our clinical experience with wound healing with agrimony has prompted us to review the current literature on the efficacy and mechanisms of action of its individual components. Methods: Relevant studies were identified by PubMed, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect.
Reference lists of retrieved articles were also reviewed. The major search engines used relevant information from articles and books, checked references and contacted study authors to identify additional studies.
Results: Scientific evidence of agrimony's efficacy and mechanisms of action on wound healing is still lacking. We realised that most studies, while focusing on the herb's antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, failed to offer comprehensive reviews of agrimony's exact actions at the molecular level.
In our review, we sought to analyse the results of individual experimental studies and relate them to the individual phases of healing. Conclusions: The value of the topical application of A eupatoria L. infusions is verified by the long-standing experience of traditional medicine.
Partial results of individual studies document evidence-based justification of the plant's use in clinical practice; this, however, still warrants further specific clinical testing and verification of its efficacy using the criteria of evidence-based medicine.