Unravelling the Myth of Wound Healing with Sea Cucumber: An Evidence-Based Review

Abstract: Wound nursing is always a very challenging experience. Usually, the process of wound healing has four stages, which are hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Various wounds have standard therapeutic procedures that can be used in their treatment; however, health supplements have been found to be more useful. We searched the published literature from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Evidence- based literature showed excellent wound-healing properties of the sea cucumber. We highlight the antidiabetic, anti-cancer, anti-coagulant, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of the sea cucumber. Recent studies have shown that sea cucumber-derived compounds significantly influence key signaling pathways such as AKT, ERK1/2, PI3K, and mTOR, thereby enhancing healing across multiple stages. Active compounds such as saponins, chondroitin sulfates, glycosaminoglycans, sulfated polysaccharides, sterols, phenolics, peptides, fucosylated chondroitin sulfate, and cerebrosides present in the natural compound were highlighted. These constituents exhibit diverse biological activities, including cell proliferation, angiogenesis, immunomodulation, and antioxidant defense, contributing to tissue regeneration and repair. Sea cucumber extracts also stimulate fibroblast activity, enhance collagen synthesis, and modulate inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-10. We also discussed the molecular basis of the wound healing mechanism in detail. Clinical studies and traditional medicine practices, particularly in East Asia, support its ethnopharmacological value, although standardized formulations are still under development. This review bridges molecular insights with clinical applications and highlights potential translational pathways for sea cucumber-derived agents. The present review justifies the use of sea cucumber as an effective supplement for the treatment of wounds.