European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

FORMULATION OF HERBAL HAIRGEL AND EVALUATION OF ITS ANTIDANDRUFF POTENTIAL

Shibu Prasanth C. R.* and Lal Prasanth M. L.*

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have indicated that dandruff affects over 50% of adult global population. It is a common
condition that often leaves the scalp inflamed and itchy. Usually, individuals that have dandruff suffer with hair
loss, reduced hair growth, thinning of hair and formation of skin flakes on the scalp, hair, eyebrows, beard and
Mustache. The objective of this study was to conduct a phytochemical screening and evaluation of the so chosen
medicinal herbs. The adverse effects of chemical medication have let to an increase in the popularity of traditional
medicine. A major contributing element to dandruff is the fungus Malassezia. In the present study the plant
materials such as amla, neem leaves, patha leaves, and tulsi are used in order to produce the required antidandruff
action due to their potency in antioxidant activity, anti inflammatory and antifungal property. A series of processes
were followed in the preparation. It began with the procurement of the herbs, evaluation, preformulation studies,
freeze drying and formulation. To the hair gel, a series of evaluation parameters were tested including invitro and
invivo studies. Most of the drugs in the market have developed multi drug resistance to fungus hence it is
necessary to develop a new class of antifungal drugs from natural sources (medicinal plants). In this study, we are
using the following herbs like Amla (Phyllanthus emblica L.), Neem Leaves (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), Tulsi
(Ocimum sanctum), Patha leaves (Cyclea peltata) and Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller. Studies have proved
that drugs belonging to classes of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, tannins
and phenolic compounds are responsible for anti dandruff activity against a few species of the malassezia fungi
(M. globosa an M.restricta).

Keywords: Dandruff; Antidandruff; Antifungal; Malassezia furfur; Seborrheic dermatitis; Herbal treatment.