Formulation and Comparative Evaluation of Physical Characteristics of different Essential Polyherbal Hair Oils
G. Sridevi1*, S. Srividya2, Malathy B.R.3, M. Bhavani4, V. Rajalaxmi
1Professor and Head, Department of Physiology, SRM Dental College, Ramapuram, Chennai 600089.
2Reader, Dept of Biochemistry, Sathyabama Dental College and Hospital, Chennai.600119.
3Reader, Dept of Microbiology, Sathyabama Dental College and Hospital, Chennai.600119.
4Lecturer, Department of Physiology, SRM Dental College, Ramapuram, Chennai 600089.
5Professor, Faculty of Physiotherapy, Dr. MGR. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: sridevig1@srmist.edu.in, rajalaxmi.physio@drmgrdu.ac.in
ABSTRACT:
Objective: To prepare essential hair oil from Eucalyptus, Poduthalai, Vettiver, Bhringraj, Alovera, Neem, Hibiscus, Henna and Fenugreek extracts in different combinations. Methods: Five different formulations (F1-F7) were prepared and subjected to general evaluation like color and odor, density and physical characteristics like specific gravity, pH, acid value, saponification value, ester value, sensitivity test, irritation test, grittiness and biological evaluation of anti dandruff activity. Results: The general evaluation of the essential oil preparations showed a different characteristic in each preparation. The Sensitivity test reveals no irritation, redness or marked skin changes and grittiness revealed the smooth texture of the oil. All formulations exhibited a good anti dandruff activity against Malassezia furfur. The maximum zone of inhibition was observed in F5 (Phyla nodiflora, Chrysopogon zizanioides and Eucalyptus in coconut oil) against M.furfur. Conclusion: The study showed that the formulation of F5 consisting Phyla nodiflora, Chrysopogon zizanioides and Eucalyptus globulus in coconut oil base was best suitable to control dandruff in scalp in human beings.
KEYWORDS: Essential oil, Herbal, New formulation, Anti-dandruff activity.
INTRODUCTION:
Dandruff is a common fungal scalp disorder faced by people of all ages in both the genders. It occurs due to Malassezia fungi or due to sebaceous secretions sometimes depends upon the individual sensitivity (1,2). The fungi apart from dandruff also cause seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp. To overcome dandruff, people started using synthetic (commercial) hair oils containing anti-dandruff chemicals like benzaldehyde, propylene glycol, benzyl acetate parabens, and sulfates etc. which has its own side effects such as dryness of scalp and hair, scalp irritation, discoloration of hair and hair fall. More than the cure, the side effects of the commercial oils dominate and affect the outlook of the individual. To get rid of the side effects along with the cure of dandruff, herbal oils are preferred and WHO supports the use of herbal products due to its safety and low cost(3).
Hair care products are classified under two main divisions, hair tonics and hair grooming aids. The oils are pure extracts of various medicinal herbs in an oil base. With traditional Knowledge, a wide range of herbs have been used for essential hair oil preparations. Some of them are Hibiscus, henna, amla, methi, neem, brahmi, tulsi, lemon, nut meg, shikakai, reetha, musk root, liquorice root, jantamasi, mahabhringraj etc. (4,5) Polyherbal hair oils are even more advantageous because the properties of each herb can be imparted into the oil which has multiple activity on the scalp. Based on this, in our study we have formulated a polyherbal hair oil using coconut oil as a base with Phyla nodiflora (Poduthalai), Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vettiver), eucalyptus, bhringraj, alovera, neem, hibiscus, henna and fenugreek. These formulated hair oils were evaluated individually for their physical characteristics and anti-dandruff property against Malassezia furfur (M.furfur)
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
The plants and seeds were obtained from Sembakkam, Chennai, Tamilnadu. Himalaya anti dandruff hair oil, (commercial oil) was purchased from market and used for the study.
Preparation of Herbal oil:
The leaves and seeds were collected and washed with distilled water and dried. The dried plant parts were grinded and mixed with coconut oil in proper proportions (10gm/100ml) and stored in glass bottles. The bottles were closed with muslin cloth and placed under sunlight for 30 days until the extract of the herb completely releases into the oil. The processed samples were Fed as follows:
Grouping of the samples:
The formulations were prepared and categorized as 7 different Fs. Himalaya anti dandruff oil, which is commercially available anti dandruff oil in market was used as positive control.
F 1 = Coconut oil alone
F 2 = Coconut oil + Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) (L.) oil
F 3 = Coconut oil + Poduthalai (Phyla nodiflora (L.) leaf powder
F 4 = Coconut oil + Vettiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides. L.) powder
F 5 = Coconut oil + Poduthalai powder + Vettiver powder + Eucalyptus oil
F 6 = Coconut oil + Bhringraj (Eclipta prostrate (L) + Alovera. (L) + Neem (Azadirachta indica .L) + (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. L)+ Henna (Lawsonia inermis .L) and Fenugreek Seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum .L) extracts
F7 = Himalaya anti dandruff oil.
Figure 1. (Seven Herbal Formulations F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7)
Evaluation of Poly herbal hair oil preparations:
The prepared herbal hair oils were subjected general evaluation like color and odor, density and physical characteristics like specific gravity, pH, acid value, saponification value, ester value, sensitivity test, irritation test, grittiness and biological evaluation of anti dandruff activity (6)
Physical evaluation:
The color and odor of the samples were observed. Acid value of the oils were determined
Physical Evaluation:
The parameters determined were colour, odour, acid value, saponification value, ester value, pH and specific gravity.
Biological Evaluation:
Anti-dandruff activity:
The antidandruff activity of poly herbal hair oil was studied by well diffusion method The plates were incubated at 37°C for 48 hours and the zone of inhibition was measured and recorded against the corresponding concentration
Fig.2 Malassezia furfur inoculated in PDA
Primary skin irritation test
The prepared formulations are assessed for primary skin irritation test on our forearm for about 1 cm, little amount of F 1 to F 7 samples were applied on the test site. The test site was observed for erythema and edema for 3 to 4 hrs (7).
Statistical analysis:
The tests were carried out in triplicates. The mean values were calculated from triplicate values. The values are expressed as mean + SD and the differences between the groups were considered to be significant if p< 0.05.
RESULTS:
General and Physical Evaluation:
The colors of all the seven samples were observed and are shown in table 1. All the seven formulations had characteristic color and odor. The various parameters like acid value, saponification value, ester value, pH, sensitivity test, irritation test and grittiness test of herbal hair oil was also evaluated (Table 1). The acid value, saponification value, pH are very much in par with the commercial standard oil. The Sensitivity test reveals no irritation or redness on the marked area of the skin and grittiness revealed smooth texture of the oil.
Table 1: General and Physical evaluation of Essential oils
|
Parameters |
F 1 |
F 2 |
F 3 |
F 4 |
F 5 |
F 6 |
F 7 |
|
Color |
Colorless |
Colorless |
Greenish yellow |
Pale yellow |
Amber brown |
Greenish yellow |
Colorless |
|
Odour |
Characteristic |
Characteristic |
Characteristic |
Characteristic |
Characteristic |
Characteristic |
Characteristic |
|
Density (mg/ml) |
882 |
893.1 |
918.3 |
906.3 |
905.1 |
911.6 |
832 |
|
Specific gravity |
1.025 |
1.030 |
1.040 |
1.042 |
1.046 |
1.040 |
1.040 |
|
pH |
6.5 |
6.42 |
6.44 |
6.43 |
6.4 |
6.4 |
6.5 |
|
Acid value |
2.00 |
2.125 |
3.65 |
3.15 |
3.65 |
3.39 |
2.825 |
|
Saponification value |
250 |
103.14 |
107.27 |
108.16 |
102.84 |
69 |
17.89 |
|
Ester value |
248 |
101.015 |
103.62 |
105.01 |
99.19 |
65.61 |
15.065 |
|
Sensitivity test |
No irritation |
No irritation |
No irritation |
No irritation |
No irritation |
No irritation |
No irritation |
|
Irritation test |
No irritation |
No irritation |
No irritation |
No irritation |
No irritation |
No irritation |
No irritation |
|
Grittiness |
Smooth |
Smooth |
Smooth |
Smooth |
Smooth |
Smooth |
Smooth |
Anti dandruff activity of essential oil:
The formulated Poly herbal hair oils was subjected to evaluate the anti-dandruff activity against M. furfur by agar well diffusion assay and the results were shown in table 2. All formulations exhibited a good anti-dandruff activity against M. furfur. Similarly the standard Himalaya Anti dandruff oil also recorded maximum anti dandruff activity. Amongst our study groups, the maximum zone of inhibition was observed as 22mm in F 5 formulation and the minimum zone of inhibition was observed as 10mm in F 1 formulation. F 5 showed good response against M. furfur compared to other formulations and was in par with the positive control (Himalaya Anti dandruff oil) (30mm).. The F 5 formulation contains the extracts of Poduthalai (Phyla nodiflora), Vettiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules) in coconut oil.
Table. 2. Zone Of Inhibition of Poly Herbal Hair Oil
|
Fs |
Malassezia furfur Zone of inhibition |
|
F 1 |
10mm |
|
F 2 |
20 mm |
|
F 3 |
18 mm |
|
F 4 |
20 mm |
|
F 5 |
22 mm |
|
F 6 |
16 mm |
|
F 7 |
30 mm |
DISCUSSION:
Traditional Herbal formulations play a vital role in enhancing the growth of hair and prevention of scalp related problems and hair fall. Herbal formulations contains essential ingredients that moisturizes the scalp, promote hair growth, maintains the normal functioning of sebaceous glands and reverses the scalp infections to normal (8). The various parameters like acid value, saponification value, ester value, pH, sensitivity test, irritation test and grittiness test of herbal hair oil was evaluated (Table 1). This evaluation revealed that the polyherbal hair oil F5 comprising of Poduthalai (Phyla nodiflora), Vettiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules) attributes excellent antidandruff activity with all the physical and general parameters on par with the commercial hair oils.
The synthetic preparations are effective in treating the dandruff activity on scalp, but they are unable to prevent the recurrences. So herbal drugs with maximum effect and minimal side effect are the drug of choice in the present world. So we prepared 6 herbal formulations with different combination of herbs and subjected it to anti dandruff activity against M.furfur. The results revealed that M.furfur was sensitive to all the herbal formulations but responded in a different way. This could be due to the phytochemicals and bioactive compounds present in the plant extract and when the extract is used in combination, so that the degree of its activity against the fungus will be intensified. The observed anti dandruff potential of F5 is due to the presence of bioactive compounds of each herb of the formulation F5 like flavonoids, terpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, phenolic acid , alkaloids and other components. (9) Hence, from the present study it reveals that the various herbal hair formulations are within optimum standards and further standardization and biological screening establishes the efficacy of formulated herbal hair oil.
The active constituents responsible for the anti dandruff activity can be explored by gas mass spectrometric analysis and further research can be done on these formulations.
CONCLUSION:
In the present study, the formulation of F 5 (Phyla nodiflora, Chrysopogon zizanioides and Eucalyptus globulus in coconut oil) polyherbal oil was best suitable to control dandruff in scalp in human beings. The observed anti dandruff potential may be due to the presence of bioactive compounds like flavanoids, terpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, phenolic acid , alkaloids and other components. So, it can be developed into a commercial product after further confirmatory studies.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT:
We declare that we have no conflict of interest.
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Received on 14.02.2020 Modified on 19.05.2022
Accepted on 08.03.2023 © RJPT All right reserved
Research J. Pharm. and Tech 2023; 16(9):4021-4024.
DOI: 10.52711/0974-360X.2023.00659