Topical Formulations Containing Mentha piperita for Wound Healing: A Scoping Review

TL;DR

This review explores how topical formulations with Mentha piperita help heal wounds by reducing infections and promoting healing in preclinical studies.

Contribution

The study maps the current evidence on Mentha piperita formulations for wound healing, emphasizing formulation types and antimicrobial efficacy.

Findings

Mentha piperita formulations showed antimicrobial activity, especially against Staphylococcus aureus.

Nanostructured systems improved stability and skin permeation of Mentha piperita compounds.

Most studies were preclinical, with a lack of clinical trials and ex vivo validation.

Abstract

Skin wound infections represent a major clinical challenge, exacerbated by biofilm formation and the increasing prevalence of bacterial resistance. Essential oils, particularly those of Mentha piperita, are well recognized for their antimicrobial and wound‐healing properties. This scoping review mapped the available evidence on the use of topical formulations containing M. piperita‐derived products for wound healing, with a focus on formulation vehicles, concentrations, experimental models, and efficacy parameters. Following JBI and PRISMA‐ScR guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS (2010–2025). Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria, the majority of which were preclinical, comprising in vitro (35%), in vivo (30%), and combined in vitro/in vivo (30%) models. Only one ex vivo study was identified, and no clinical trials were found. The formulations investigated ranged from creams and gels to nanoemulsions, lipid carriers, films, and nanofibers, with concentrations varying from 0.5% to 20%. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently tested strain and showed greater susceptibility to peppermint essential oil (PEO). Incorporation into nanostructured systems was associated with improved stability, enhanced skin permeation, and superior antimicrobial performance, particularly when combined with nanoparticles, metals, other bioactive compounds, or, in specific cases, clinical antibiotics such as levofloxacin. Across both infected wound models and noninfected wound‐healing models, M. piperita‐containing formulations were associated with favorable outcomes, although the underlying mechanisms differed depending on the presence or absence of microbial challenge. Despite these promising findings, significant gaps remain regarding ex vivo validation, safety assessment, and clinical translation. Overall, PEO demonstrates considerable potential as an antimicrobial and wound‐healing agent; however, more standardized and clinically oriented studies are required.

This scoping review synthesizes evidence from preclinical studies on topical formulations containing Mentha piperita for the treatment of infected wounds. The formulations, including creams, hydrogels, nanoemulsions, and lipid carriers, demonstrated antimicrobial and healing potential, reducing bacterial growth, biofilm formation, and inflammation, in addition to promoting re‐epithelialization. The evidence highlights the need for standardization and advanced biological validation
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