FORMULATION, QUALITY CONTROL AND STABILITY OF A POLYHERBAL ANTI-DANDRUFF SHAMPOO

Objectives: This study determines the possibility of formulating an antidandruff shampoo containing 5 plant extracts which are inhibitory in vitro to Malassezia furfur.

Methods: The shampoo was compounded extemporaneously subjected to phytochemical screening, rheological studies and other physico-chemical tests that relates to detergency and cleansing properties. The accelerated stability study upon storage at 37°C, 45°C and 55°C was monitored by pH, anti-oxidative effects, total phenols and sennoside A content. Ocular and skin irritation tests were performed. The in vitro inhibitory effect of the shampoo and its aqueous dilutions to M. furfur was conducted.

Results: The shampoo showed the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, polyphenolics, anthraquinones, sterols and triterpenes.

Pseudoplastic flow characterizes the viscosity behavior of the shampoo. Excess surface area, reduction of surface tension to < 40 N/m, a high cleansing power and lower wetting time described the detergency properties of the shampoo. Degradation was fastest at 55°C storage and was accompanied by drastic decrease in pH, free radical scavenging activities and total phenols. When sennoside A was considered as a marker compound in the first-order reaction kinetic, the shampoo registered a shelf-life of 55 months. The shampoo did not cause major irritation to the eyes and skin of rats. The shampoo was as potent as 0.1% ketoconazole shampoo in inhibiting the growth of M. furfur in vitro, with a minimum inhibitory dilution of 1:256.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that a polyherbal antidandruff shampoo can be formulated and pass technical specifications that determine its quality, efficacy, safety and stability.