Formulation and evaluation of a herbal shampoo using flavonoid glycosides from Dicerocaryum senecioides

Abstract

Trichophyton tonsurans affecting the scalp skin and hair shaft, is the most common public health problem in children in most countries. Multidrug T. tonsurans resistance has been observed leading to clinical treatment failure and relapse. In the present study, a herbal shampoo was formulated using flavonoid glycosides from Dicerocaryum senecioides as active principal components. Flavonoids glycosides were isolated using a bioassay directed protocol, Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) p-iodonitrotetrazolium violet bio-autography. The formulated herbal shampoo efficacy was tested using the poisoned food assay with clinical strains isolated from patients showing resistance to conventional medicines that are marketed locally. Ten volunteers, 6 girls and 4 boys also participated in assessing the efficacy of the herbal shampoo. From the 10 participants, 3 were blindly given shampoos that did not consist of the flavonoids glycosides. Quality characteristics of the shampoo were determined by monitoring pH changes, microorganisms, colour and viscosity changes, and presence of rancid ordors.  The herbal shampoo showed significant mycelial growth inhibitory activity of 93.2 ± 0.6% on the poisoned food assay. All the 7 participants administered with the experimental shampoo were healed by washing their scalp once per day and the condition did not appear again while for the 3 administered with the placebo the condition remained. The condition disappeared when they were administered the experimental shampoo later on. Sensory quality analysis shows that pH of 6.85, green leaf colour and smell were maintained throughout the period of study. The viscosity was also consistent. No microorganism or molds were found in the shampoo. The results obtained from this study showed that the herbal shampoo is an effective alternative option against T. tonsurans scalp skin and hair shafts infections. The flavonoid glycosides maybe utilized to make herbal shampoo for scalp infections.