The Role of Lactoferrin in Wound Healing: A Systematic Review.

TL;DR

A systematic review of 17 preclinical studies found consistent evidence that lactoferrin (a natural protein) accelerates wound healing, increases collagen synthesis, and enhances fibroblast activity in laboratory and animal models. However, no human clinical trials have tested these findings in actual patients, so real-world efficacy remains unknown.

What the Study Found

Researchers conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines to evaluate lactoferrin's role in wound healing. They searched four major medical databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register) for all studies published before September 2025 investigating lactoferrin and wound repair. Of 261 articles screened, only 17 met inclusion criteria, and notably, all 17 were preclinical studies: either human cell cultures (in vitro) or animal models. No human clinical trials were included.

The preclinical evidence was remarkably consistent. Twelve of the 17 studies (71%) reported that lactoferrin accelerated wound healing compared to control conditions. Twelve studies also demonstrated that lactoferrin increased collagen synthesis, a key protein essential for wound strength and tissue repair. Nine studies (53%) showed that lactoferrin enhanced fibroblast migration, an early wound healing step where fibroblasts move into the wound site to produce collagen and other structural proteins. The research originated primarily from Japan (6 studies), China (3 studies), and Russia (2 studies), with the majority published within the last two decades.

The consistency of these findings across multiple labs and geographies is noteworthy. The fact that lactoferrin showed effects on multiple wound healing mechanisms (collagen production, fibroblast behavior, and overall healing rate) suggests the signal is not a single-study artifact or lab-specific anomaly. Lactoferrin is a natural iron-binding glycoprotein with known immune-modulating and bone-building properties, providing a plausible biological mechanism for why it might influence wound repair.

However, this consistency exists entirely in the laboratory. The critical gap is the complete absence of human studies. All 17 included studies used either isolated human cells in culture dishes or wound models in animals (likely mice or rats). Laboratory findings do not automatically translate to human patients. Dosage, delivery method, wound type, individual variation, and other factors might produce different results in humans. The authors explicitly highlight this limitation and call for well-designed clinical trials as the logical next step.

What This Means for You

The practical takeaway is straightforward: lactoferrin shows promise in early-stage research but remains unproven in humans. If you are considering lactoferrin for wound healing, understand that you are essentially participating in an informal experiment. The preclinical evidence suggests it might help, but there is no clinical evidence of efficacy or optimal dosing in actual patients.

For healthcare providers: this review provides a strong rationale for designing human clinical trials. The consistency of preclinical data justifies moving to Phase I and Phase II studies to test safety and preliminary efficacy in small patient groups. The body of preclinical work is substantial enough to warrant this investment.

For supplement manufacturers: lactoferrin products marketed for wound healing currently lack the human trial data needed to substantiate efficacy claims. The preclinical foundation is solid, but bridge studies in humans are necessary.

General wound care should continue to follow established practices: keeping wounds clean, moist (not wet), and protected from infection. Adequate nutrition (particularly protein and vitamin-c), sufficient sleep-duration, and avoiding smoking all have clinical evidence supporting better wound outcomes. Zinc supplementation has shown benefit in certain wound types, particularly in zinc-deficient individuals. These remain the evidence-backed approaches until lactoferrin's human efficacy is established.

Study Details

Sources

Systematic Review on Lactoferrin and Wound Healing. NCBI PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42839328/