Current Perspectives on the Potential Role of Medicinal Plants in Anti-aging, Skin-related Disorders and Stem Cell Proliferation

Background: Bioactive compounds from natural sources have been integral to traditional medicine, providing therapeutic benefits for centuries. Their efficacy in treating skin disorders highlights the ongoing relevance of herbal remedies in modern healthcare. Objectives: Skin aging is a natural biological phenomenon characterized by time-dependent degenerative impairments in metabolic processes and the progressive accumulation of structural, functional, and appearance-related alterations in the skin. Methodology: This study reviews 210 articles sourced from various databases, including the Cochrane Library, Wiley Online Library, WHO, ScienceDirect, SID, PubMed, and Google Scholar, using an extensive set of MeSH keywords related to traditional medicine, bioactive compounds, and skin diseases. After removing duplicates, 106 relevant articles were selected. Various skin-related disorders such as acne, vitiligo, psoriasis, and scabies are being discussed in this review. Despite the effectiveness of currently practiced treatment options in reducing signs of aging, the treatment of these skin diseases remains limited due to their associated adverse effects. Results: Recently, medicinal plants have attracted significant research interest due to their potential role in anti-aging and managing skin-related disorders, including their ability to promote stem cell proliferation, which may hold promise for skin regeneration and stem cell therapy while offering reduced side effects. This review highlights the current knowledge of medicinal plants’ therapeutic potential in promoting skin health, reducing the signs of aging, and promoting stem cell proliferation. Conclusion: These potentials in treating skin aging and alleviating skin-related disorders suggest that plant-derived remedies may present promising avenues for treating various skin conditions.