Comparative E-ectiveness of Plant-Derived Compounds in Keloid Management: A Review

Rony Abdi Syahputra^*Arya Tjipta PranandaSony Eka NugrahaPutri Cahaya Situmorang

• University of North Sumatra, Medan, Indonesia

Keloids are a challenging dermatological condition characterized by excessive scar formation beyond the original wound site, high recurrence rates, and limited treatment e:icacy. Current therapies, such as corticosteroids, surgery, and radiotherapy, often yield suboptimal outcomes and adverse e:ects. This review evaluates the potential of plant-derived metabolites as safer and more e:ective alternatives for keloid management. Preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate that compounds like curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and asiaticoside exhibit anti-fibrotic, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant properties by modulating key pathways (e.g., TGF-β/Smad, NF-κB, and oxidative stress). espite promising preclinical and early clinical findings, critical challenges hinder the clinical translation of these metabolites. These include poor and variable bioavailability, inconsistencies in extract standardization, and a paucity of large-scale, rigorously designed trials. Moreover, some metabolites may yield conflicting results or exhibit o:-target e:ects in in vitro systems, necessitating caution in interpreting their true therapeutic potential. Future research should focus on optimizing drug delivery systems, conducting large-scale trials, and integrating personalized medicine approaches. Plant-derived metabolites represent a multi-targeted therapeutic strategy with the potential to address unmet needs in keloid treatment.