Available online 10 February 2026, 100990

Diabetes-related wounds or ulcers are one of the complications of diabetes that can cause a variety of functional losses. Treatment of diabetic skin ulcer (DSU) focuses on alleviating foot pressure and enhancing local circulation. Despite the availability of these treatments, the number of drugs for wound application is limited. In recent years, natural compounds obtained from plants have demonstrated positive effects on DSU and have effective in preclinical and clinical studies.

The objective of the study was to assess the diabetes-related wounds or ulcers of natural compounds and the potential mechanisms.

and Methods: The study searched PubMed database up to January 2025.

In the review, the efficacy and safety of natural compounds in treating diabetes-related wounds or ulcers are summarized from 42 preclinical and 13 clinical studies.

Overall, these preclinical and clinical studies advocate for the use of natural compounds in diabetes-related wounds or ulcers, indicating that ursolic acid, paeoniflorin, and Curcuma zedoaria polysaccharide (ZWP) could be effective and well-tolerated potential medications.

Traditional medicines

Natural compounds

Clinical studies

Preclinical studies

Diabetes-related wounds or ulcers

© 2026 The Korean Society of Ginseng. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V.