INTRODUCTION:

Hair serves a crucial function in the beautification as well as personality of an individual. The protein-rich thread known as hair, sprouts from lobe. Hair is composed of a protein called keratin. The composition of hair consists of a root and a shaft. The root is found enclosed within the hair strand whereas the shaft is the visible part that we see as hair.¹ The hair follicle is responsible for biological activities like pigmentation, hair growth, etc, whereas the hair shaft is considered a dead part.² Each hair goes through a hair growth cycle. If there occurs any disturbance or disruption in the hair growth cycle, problems like hair fall, hair greying, hair thinning, etc take place.

Nowadays, there are various hair care products introduced in the cosmeceutical industry. Hair oils, shampoo, conditioners, hair masks, hair dyes, etc.

To keep hair strong, shiny, and moisturized, the use of hair oil is the Indian traditional method. It is an idea that applying hair oil lubricates the hair shaft, stopping hair breakage. Hair oils maintain the moisture level of hair and prevent frizz.

PLANT PROFILE:

Hibiscus rosa-sinesis:

The flower part of Hibiscus rosa-sinesis is used in herbal hair oil. It belongs to the family Malvaceae.³It is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in this herbal hair oil. Chemical constituents that are found in the flower part are Quercetin, thiamine, etc,. Proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins were also observed in significant amounts in the flowers.⁴In older Ayurvedic writings, it is referred to as Keshya (a stimulant of hair growth).⁵Hibiscus contains vitamin B1, vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus, iron which are utilized to improve the growth of thicker hair and delay the onset of greying hair.⁶

Coconut Oil:

Another name is copra oil. Mostly, it is used as a vehicle in hair oils. It is obtained from expression of dried kernels of Cocus nucifera, which belongs to family Palmae.⁷ Triglycerides containing fatty acids make up the majority of coconut oil. The antibacterial, antiprotozoal, antifungal, and antiviral properties of the coconut are because of the fatty acid present in the oil.⁸ It supplies the vital proteins needed to nourish and repair damaged hair. It promotes the shining quality and healthy growth of hair.⁹

Castor Oil:

It is also referred to as ricin oil. It belongs to the family Euphorbiacea. It is a pale yellow, viscous liquid.¹⁰ Steroids, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and glycosides can all be found in R. communis, according to a preliminary phytochemical analysis. 45% of the seeds' composition is made up of ricinoleic, isoricinoleic, stearic, and dihydroxystearic acid glycosides, along with lipases and ricinine.¹¹ It controls hair loss, promotes hair growth, darkens and thickens hair, and minimises dandruff.

Brahmi:

It is also known as Bacopa. It contains stems and leaves of plant Bacopa moniera Linn, which belongs to family Scrophulariaceae. It is green in colour and bitter in taste. Alkaloids i.e., brahmin, herpestine and mixture of three other alkaloids is present in brahmi. Also, it have saponins present.¹² It achieves the best results by showing increased follicular size and anagen process length. It prevents split ends, minimizes hair loss, relieves the scalp, and cleans the hair.^13,14

Shatavari:

It is also known as Shatmuli. It is obtained from dried roots and leaves of Asparagus racemosus Wild, which belong to family Liliaceae.¹⁵ Shatavari roots contain shatavarins I - IV, which are 4 steroid saponins. Essential oils, asparagine, arginine, tyrosine, flavonoid, resin, and tannin are some of the other main chemical components of asparagus.¹⁶ It strengthens hair roots by increasing blood circulation and protects skin from irritation caused by an itchy, flaky scalp.¹⁷

Shikakai:

It is also known as Vimala, bhuriphena. The biological source of shikakai is Acacia concinna, which belongs to the family Fabaceae. The chemical constituent present in shikekai are citric acid, tartaric acid and lactose.¹⁸ It cleanses hair, prevent hair loss and gives shine to hair. Shikakai is employed in many hair care products and hair medicines for its hair strengthening and conditioning properties.¹⁹

Amla:

It is also known as Indian gooseberry. The biological name of amla is Phyllanthus emblica, which belongs to family Phyllanthaceae.²⁰ Alkaloids, phenols, and tannins are all present in amla. Phyllemblin is also present in the fruit. It also mainly includes other substances like amino acids, carbohydrates, and other molecules.²¹ Amla increases calcium absorption, resulting in healthier hair. Additionally, it prevents premature greying, maintains vernal hair colour, and supports the health of hair follicles, preventing hair loss as we age. Greying is prevented by boiling dried fruit in coconut oil until the solid substance turns charred. Additionally nourishing to hair is the water dried amla pieces are soaked in overnight.²²

Neem:

Synonym is margosa. The biological source is Azadirachta indica, which belongs to the family Meliaceae. Neem leaves are used in this herbal hair oil.²³ The chemical azadirachtin is the most physiologically active. The majority of the active principles are derived from azadirachtin analogues, which also has numerous antibacterial and anti-infective effects. It demonstrates the presence of terpenes, polyphenols, HCN, etc,. It is used as anti-dandruff and anti-hairfall agent.²⁴

Camphor:

Biological source of camphor is Cinnamomum camphora, which belongs to the family Lauraceae. It is colourless, crystalline and have a strong aroma.²⁵ There are several different compounds in it, including cineol, linalool, eugenol, limonene, safrole, myrecene, humulene, pcymene, nerolidol, borneol, and camphene. It is used to improve blood circulation, cool the scalp, gives better hair texture.^26,33,34

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Collection of Plant materials:

All the powdered herbal ingredients like- Hibiscus, Coconut oil, Castor oil, Brahmi, Shatavari, Shikakai, Amla, Neem, and Camphor were procured from Abbumiya Ayurved, Wadi, Nagpur.

Design of Experiment:

The formulation of the Hibiscus Hair Oil was designed using the 3² complete factorial method. In this approach, there are three different levels at which the two different elements are assessed. Coconut Oil and Castor Oil are chosen as the two independent variables. The chosen variables have three levels: low, moderate, and high. These levels are coded as 1, 0, and +1, respectively. The responses - pH, viscosity and grittiness - are taken into account as dependent variables for the planned and formulated hibiscus hair oil.

1. Independent levels:

Coconut Oil (X1)

Castor Oil (X2)

2. Dependent levels:

pH (Y1)

Viscosity (Y2)

Grittiness (Y3)

Table 1: Levels of independent variables

Codes	Code Levels		Actual Values (ml)
Codes	X1	X2	X1	X2
H1	1	1	60	12.5
H2	0	0	50	10
H3	-1	-1	40	5
H4	1	0	60	10
H5	0	-1	50	5
H6	-1	1	40	12.5
H7	1	-1	60	5
H8	0	1	50	12.5
H9	-1	0	40	10

Table 2: Formulation table of various batches of Herbal Hair Oil

Ingredients	H1	H2	H3	H4	H5	H6	H7	H8	H9
Coconut Oil (ml)	60	50	40	60	50	40	60	50	40
Castor Oil (ml)	12.5	10	5	10	5	12.5	5	12.5	10
Hibiscus Flower (gm)	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5
Amla (gm)	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
Brahmi (gm)	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
Shatavari (gm)	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
Shikekai (gm)	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
Neem Leaves (gm)	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
Camphor (gm)	0.5	0.5	1	1	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5

FORMULATION TABLE:

Following is the list of raw material required for the formulation of herbal hair oil. All the ingredients were gathered of the institute laboratory. (Table-2).

Methodology:

Herbal hair oil can be prepared using three methods: direct boiling method, cloth method, and paste method.^27,35,36

Here, for preparation of herbal hair oil direct boiling method was selected. All the raw material was weighed accurately and crushed coarsely using mortar and pestle. Coconut oil was heated till lukewarm. Then, castor oil was added with continuous stirring. Now, all the herbs i.e., amla, shatavari, brahmi, shikekai, etc., were added to the oil. Then hibiscus flower and neem leaves added to the afore mentioned mixture. The mixture was kept to boil for 10 minutes. After sometime the mixture was poured in the containers and labelled it as H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6, H7, H8 and H9 respectively according to the formula.

EVALUATION TESTS:

Physical Evaluation:

The general characteristics, like colour, odour, grittiness, sensitivity test, pH, viscosity.

1) Colour:

The assessment of colour is possible through visual observation.

2) Odour:

You are able to identify it by smelling it.

3) Grittiness:

Rub together your fingertips with a small bit of oil. Check for any grittier or rougher feelings. Contaminants are present if you feel any solid particles or grit-like texture.

4) Sensitivity test:

Applying the hair oil for a while to three participants were used as an irritation test.

5) pH:

It is measured using digital pH meter.

· The samples were prepared by mixing homogeneously and form a stable solution.

· pH electrode is inserted in the solution and the pH meter reading was allowed to stabilize. This typically takes a few seconds to a minute, depending on the meter's specifications. The reading on the digital display will correspond to the pH value of the oil.

6) Viscosity:

The viscosity of various formulations of herbal hair oils was calculated by Brook field viscometer (LVDV-III ultra-programmable Rheometer) utilizing spindle CP-52 at different speeds and shear rates of 6, 12, and 30 rpm between 20 and 60 sec.

7) Stability test:

Each formulation was kept in a container and they were observed for changes in consistency, colour, and scent at the time of preparation as well as during storage at room temperature.

Phytochemical Testing:

Various tests that were used to perform the qualitative phytochemical analysis of the prepared herbal hair oil. The active constituents were determined by phytochemical analysis^{28, 31,32,}.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Physical Evaluation:

The general characteristics, like colour, odour, grittiness, sensitivity test, stability test, pH, viscosity was evaluated^29,37,38. The prepared herbal hair oil was found greenish brown in colour, have pleasant odour, smooth, causing no irritation, was stable, pH ranging from 5.25±0.28 – 5.95±0.32 and viscosity was found between 23.6 mpa.s ±0.05 - 29 mpa.s ±0.39 and all the batches were found to be stable when kept for a duration of 6 month.

Phytochemical Tests:

The H2 batch was found to be optimised batch. The results of the phytochemical testing of the prepared herbal hair oil showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, ascorbic acid, glucose and quercetin as shown in Table No. 4.

Table 4: Phytochemical Testof optimised H2 batch

Sr. No.	Test	Observations	Outcome of H2
1.	Tests for Alkaloids²⁸
	Dragendroff’s test	A reddish-brown precipitate	+ +
	Hager’s test	A creamy white precipitate	+ +
	Mayer’s test	A creamy white/yellow precipitate	+ +
	Wagner’s test	A brown/ reddish precipitate	+ +
2.	Tests for Saponins ^29,30	Froth forms and stays consistent for 20 minutes.	+ +
3.	Test for Glucose
3.	Benedict’s Test	Colour change occurs from blue to green, yellow, orange, or brick red.	+ +
4.	Tests for Ascorbic Acid	Sample turns yellow colour to blue.	+ +
5.	Test for Quercetin	The lower chloroform layer should turn red or pink	+ +

[Presence (+ +) and Absence (- -)]

CONCLUSION:

The world is changing towards the use of safer and natural product with traditional usage. The present study evaluates the formulation of herbal hair oil comprising a mixture of various plant material having natural properties which was useful for keeping hair healthy, free of dandruff and frizz-free. In general, the herbal composition offers a good combination of terpenoids, essential oils, vitamins, and antioxidants. When the finished product was evaluated, every value indicated that it was within permissible bounds. Thus, it can be said that the oil helps to maintain healthy hair development, turns grey hair into black, protects against dandruff, and produces beautiful hair. So, with this we achieved our aim and objectives.

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Received on 08.02.2024 Revised on 20.07.2024

Accepted on 28.10.2024 Published on 12.06.2025

Available online from June 14, 2025

Research J. Pharmacy and Technology. 2025;18(6):2454-2458.

DOI: 10.52711/0974-360X.2025.00350

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Creative Commons License.

Batch	Colour	Odour	Grittiness	Sensitivity	pH	Viscosity (mpa.s)
H2	Greenish-brown	Pleasant	Smooth	No Irritation	5.94±0.024	26.3 ± 0.05

Table 3: Evaluation Table of optimized batch H2 of Herbal Hair oil

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: