Anusha et.

al

Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology

ISSN: 2321-5674(Print) ISSN: 2320 3471(Online)

Formulation and evaluation of herbal anti-dandruff shampoo

Anusha Potluri*, Harish. G, B. Pragathi Kumar, Dr. Durraivel
Nimra College of Pharmacy, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India
*Corresponding author: Email:anupharma88@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Dandruff is a common disorder affecting the scalp condition caused by yeast Pityrosporum.
Dandruff cannot be completely eliminated but can only be managed and effectively controlled. A
shampoo is a preparation containing surfactant (i.e. surface active material) in a suitable form liquid,
solid or powder which when used under the specified conditions will remove surface grease, dirt, and
skin debris from the hair shaft and scalp without adversely affecting the user. Various anti-fungal agents
are employed in hair care preparations for the treatment dandruff. These products show many side effects
like loss of hair, increased scaling, itching, irritation, nausea, and headache. Hence an attempt was made
to formulate herbal anti-dandruff shampoo which is effective in terms of safety and treating the dandruff
condition better than the chemical based anti-dandruff shampoo. Herbal anti-dandruff shampoos were
formulated using herbal based ingredients like Lemon Grass Oil, Neem oil, Henna, Aloe Vera gel and
other ingredients for preparing base shampoo. The formulated shampoos were subjected to evaluation
parameters like visual inspection, pH, viscosity, Percentage of solids contents, Dirt dispersion, Surface
tension, Foaming ability and foam stability, anti-fungal activity test using Pityrosporum Ovale strain.
Formulation (F8) exhibited good antifungal activity i.e., maximum zone of inhibition. Hence it was
subjected to safety studies on animals, such as eye irritation test and skin sensitivity test. The (F8)
exhibited good safety without any irritation and sensitivity. Stability studies for a period of three months
were conducted for F8 formulation and showed negligible changes in their physicochemical properties.
Key words: Dandruff, herbal anti-dandruff shampoo, Pityrosporum ovale.
INTRODUCTION
Dandruff represents one of the most common
dermatological skin conditions and is a chronic, non
inflammatory condition of the scalp that is
characterized by excessive scaling of scalp tissue.
Dandruff is apparently caused by a fungus called
Malassezia restricta and M. globosa. Malassezia
formerly called Pityrosporum is a yeast causing
infection of skin and scalp. It often causes itching.
Warm and humid atmosphere, overcrowding and poor
personal hygiene are ideally suited for the growth of
Malassezia. Dandruff affects 5% of the population
and mostly occurs after puberty, between 20-30 years
and dandruff affects males more than females.
Dandruff occurs exclusively on skin in areas with high
levels of sebum. Symptoms of dandruff mainly
include itching, flakes; redness of scalp. Dandruff can
be treated in two ways, by using herbal based antidandruff shampoo and by using chemical based antidandruff shampoo. A shampoo is a preparation
containing surfactant (i.e. surface active material) in a
suitable form liquid, solid or powder which when
used under the specified conditions will remove
surface grease, dirt, and skin debris from the hair shaft
and scalp without adversely affecting the user. Most
shampoos contain water, a detergent (cleaning agent),
surfactant (lather making agent), salt, fragrance
(natural and
artificial), preservative and food
coloring. With the exception of water and salt (sodium

chloride), different chemical compounds are used

depending on the desired result of the shampoo. Many
shampoos also contain vitamins and moisturizing
alcohols to prevent too much of the hair and scalp's
natural oils from being stripped away during
cleansing. Herbal Cosmetics, here in after referred as
Products, and are formulated, using various
permissible cosmetic ingredients to form the base in
which one or more herbal ingredients are used to
provide defined cosmetic benefits only, shall be called
as Herbal Cosmetics. Herbal drugs or their
formulations are viable alternative to synthetic drugs.
During the past few decades, there has been a
dramatic increase in the use of natural products in
cosmetics. Now-a-days, many herbal shampoos are
available in the market which contains herbal
ingredients such as plant extracts and essential oils.
There are large number of plants which are reported to
have beneficial effects on hair and are commonly used
in shampoos.many herbas such as Hibiscus rosasinensis, Lawsonia inermis, Citrus aurantifolia,
Phyllanthus emblica, Ocimum sanctum, Zingiber
officinalis, Azadirecta indica, aloe vera have been
used as an anti dandruff agents in many shampoo
formulations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Lemon Grass Oil, Neem Oil, Aloe Vera Gel,
Henna was obtained as a gift samples from cavin care
pvt lmtd, Chennai, sodium lauryl sulfate was obtained

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Anusha et.al

ISSN: 2321-5674(Print) ISSN: 2320 3471(Online)

Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology

from Cipla Ltd., Daund, glycerine was procured form

Signet, Mumbai and EDTA was obtained from Syned
Labs Limited, Medak, AP.
Preparation of anti-dandruff shampoo: Shampoo
was formulated using simple mixing process. Herbal
anti-dandruff shampoo was formulated by adding the
required amounts of herbal ingredients as given in the
formulation table no 1
Evaluation of prepared herbal shampoo: The
prepared herbal shampoo formulation should be
evaluated for its appearance, pH, viscosity, foaming
ability, surface tension, percentage solid content,
detergency ability, rheology, dirt dispersion and antifungal activity against pityrosporum ovale.
Antifungal activity against Pityrosporum ovale: The
herbal anti-dandruff shampoo formulations (F5-F8)
were subjected to anti-fungal activity by adopting
disc-diffusion method. Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA)
medium was used for growing fungus. PDA was
prepared with addition of Butter. Dandruff was
dissolved in Potato dextrose broth for its further use as

inoculum. The inoculum obtained was serially diluted

to 10-6 and 10-7 dilutions and 100l of inoculum was
inoculated onto the PDA plate which was spread using
an L-Shaped spreader. The Petri plates were then
sealed using a parafilm and incubated at 30 degree
Celsius for 48 hours to get plates with uniform growth
of fungus. Then different dilutions of shampoo as
prepared and poured into petriplates and incubated,
the growth of fungus were checked at regular
intervals. Disk diffusion method was used to check the
zone of inhibition for all the dilutions of shampoo.
Safety evaluation: Safety is an important aspect of a
shampoo; it should be tested by conducting animal
studies like eye irritation test and skin sensitization
test, using albino rabbits.
Stability studies: Stability studies were carried out by
placing glass tubes and in humidity chamber at
45Cand 75% relative humidity. And their
appearance, physical stability were inspected for a
period of 3 months at interval of one month.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table.1.Formulation of herbal anti-dandruff shampoo
Ingredients
Neem oil(ml)
Lemon Grass Oil (ml)
Aloe Vera gel(ml)
Henna oil(ml)
Sodium lauryl
sulfate(gm)
Carbopol(gm)

F1
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
6

F2
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
3.0

F3
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5

F4
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
0.75

F5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
15

F6
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
10

F7
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
5

F8
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
-

2.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

Glycerin(ml)
Guar gum(gm)
Methyl paraben(gm)
Propyl paraben(gm)
EDTA(gm)
Sodium hydroxide

1.2
0.180
0.120
-

0.60
0.180
0.120
-

0.30
0.180
0.120
-

0.15
0.180
0.120
-

1
0.15

1
0.15

1
0.15

1
0.15

To adjust
pH

To adjust
pH

To adjust
pH

To adjust
pH

To adjust
pH

To adjust
pH

To adjust
pH

To adjust
pH

Water
Perfume
Total

q.s
q.s
100ml

q.s
q.s
100ml

q.s
q.s
100ml

q.s
q.s
100ml

q.s
q.s
100ml

q.s
q.s
100ml

q.s
q.s
100ml

q.s
q.s
100ml

Table 2: Evaluation of Formulations for physical appearance, pH and %Solids

Formulation

Appearance

pH

%solids

Surface tension
(dy/cm)

Cleansing action
(%)

Dirt dispersion

F5

Off white, good

foaming
Off white, good
foaming
Off white, good
foaming
Off white, good
foaming

4.9+0.02

21.10+0.01

30.12+0.02

22.12+0.05

Moderate

5.1+0.07

23.01+0.05

31.25+0.01

25.02+0.01

Light

5.2+0.02

26.02+0.02

33.17+0.01

27.52+0.03

Light

5.5+0.01

28.05+0.04

34.20+0.01

32.06+0.04

None

F6
F7
F8

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ISSN: 2321-5674(Print) ISSN: 2320 3471(Online)

Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology

Table.3.Evaluation of formulations for viscosity

RPM

Viscosity(cp
F5
82150.00
54150.00
50916.67
25425.00
15775.00

0.5
1.0
2.5
5
10

F6
60765.00
42666.66
33350.00
14645.33
8541.00

F7
51516.67
40450.00
28851.66
13651.66
8041.66

F8
17533.33
14916.67
11478.33
9158.33
7766.66

Table.4.Evaluation of Foam Stability of Herbal Shampoo formulations

Time in min

Foam volume(ml)

1min

F5
176

F6
170

F7
168

F8
156

2min
3min
4min
5min

173
170
169
168

168
167
166
165

166
165
164
163

152
148
142
136

Table.5.Evaluation of Antifungal activity of Herbal Shampoos formulations

Zone of inhibition
Marketed product

Formulation code
F5
F6
10.26mm
18.52mm

26.06mm

F7
25.04mm

F8
27.06mm

Table.6.Evaluation of Stability of Herbal Shampoo formulations

Evaluation parameter
Appearance
pH
Viscosity(cp)

After 2 months
Off white, good foaming
5.5+0.24
17450.02

after 3months
Off white, good foaming
5.5+0.85
16477.36

28.05+0.04
30.45+0.02

28.54+0.56
31.22+0.78

29.35+0.11
31.85+0.056

None
136

None
134

None
130

foam volume(ml)

% Solids
Surface tension
(dy/cm)
Dirt dispersion
Foaming volume(ml)

Stability
After 1month
Off white, good foaming
5.5+0.01
17533.33

200
150

Foam volume(ml) F5

100

Foam volume(ml) F6

50

Foam volume(ml) F7

0
1min 2min 3min 4min 5min

Foam volume(ml) F8

time (min)

Figure.1.Foam Stability of Herbal Shampoo Formulations (F5-F8)

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Anusha et.al

Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology

ISSN: 2321-5674(Print) ISSN: 2320 3471(Online)

Figure.2.Initial Skin Condition of

Albino Rabbit

Figure.3.Skin Sensitivity for F8 after

1hr

Figure.4.Skin Sensitivity for F8 after

2hrs

Figure.5. Skin sensitivity for F8 after

3hrs

Figure.6. Skin sensitivity for F8 after

4hrs

Fig no 7 Initial Eye Condition of

Rabbit without Applying Shampoo

Figure.8.Eye Irritation after

30seconds for Formulation F5

Figure.9.Eye Irritation after

30seconds for Formulation F6

Figure.10.Eye Irritation after

30seconds

Figure.11. Eye Irritation after 30seconds for Formulation F8

Figure.12.Antifungal activity of marketed herbal antidandruff shampoo (NIZORAL) against Pityrosporum

ovale

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Figure.13.Antifungal activity of prepared herbal antidandruff shampoo formulation F8 against Pityrosporum

ovale

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Anusha et.al

Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology

ISSN: 2321-5674(Print) ISSN: 2320 3471(Online)

Total 8 formulations were made. Out of 8

formulations F1, F2 F3, F4 showed consistency,
foaming and stability problems. Formulations F5,
F6, F7, F8 showed good consistency, foaming.
Hence the formulations F5, F6, F7, and F8 were
used for further study. The results of visual
inspection of formulations are listed in Table 2.
All formulations had the good characteristics with
respect to foaming. The pH of shampoos has been
shown to be important for improving and
enhancing the qualities of hair, minimizing
irritation to the eyes and stabilizing the ecological
balance of the scalp. As seen from Table 2, all the
shampoos were acid balanced and were
ranged4.9-5.5, which is near to the skin pH. If the
shampoo has too many solids it will be hard to
work into the hair or too hard to wash out. The
result of percent of solids contents is tabulated in
table 2, and was found between 21-28%. As a
result, they were easy to wash out. It has been
mentioned that a proper shampoo should be able
to decrease the surface tension of pure water to
about 40 dynes/cm12.

the formulation F8 was found to be best for

formulation for treating the dandruff as it exhibit
maximum zone of inhibition, and without any eye
irritation.

The reduction in surface tension of water

from 72.8 dynes/cm to 34.2 dynes/ cm by the
herbal shampoos is an indication of their good
detergent action. The results are shown in Table
2. Cleaning action was tested on wool yarn in
grease. As seen from the results, there is a
significant difference in the amount of sebum
removed by the different shampoos. The foam
stability of herbal shampoos is listed in table 4.
The results of antifungal activity are described in
table no 5 and zone of inhibition was shown in fig
no 12 and 13. The formulation F8 showed
maximum zone of inhibition. Therefore it is
concluded that as the concentration of the herbs
increased, the zone of inhibition was also
increased, hence the formulation F8 was the best
formulation for treating dandruff. The same was
compared with marketed product, Nizoral
antidandruff shampoo containing ketaconazole as
an active ingredient and found that the formulated
product shows better control over dandruff than
the marketed product. Eye irritation for F5
formulation is more compared to other
formulation and it is less for F6 and F7. F8
formulation was without any eye irritation. Hence
it is safe for use without any side effects. Hence

Chandrani D, Lubaina SZ and Soosamma M, A

review of antifungal effect of plant extract vs.
chemical substances against malassezia spp., Int J
Pharm Bio Sci, 3(3), 2012, 773 780.

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CONCLUSION
The formulation of Anti-dandruff hair
shampoo provides a method for treating a scalp
dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. Herbal antidandruff hair shampoo containing 2ml (F8) of
herbs concentration of neem oil, lemon grass oil,
henna, aloe vera gel with sodium lauryl sulfate
base could be used as an effective in treatment of
Dandruff on scalp. The formulated shampoos
were not only safer than the chemical dandruff
agents, but may also greatly reduce the hair loss
during combing as well as strengthen the hair
growth. The pH of the shampoos was adjusted to
5.5, to retain the acidic mantle of scalp. However,
the aesthetic attributes, such as lather and clarity,
of the laboratory shampoo are not comparable
with the marketed shampoos.
REFERENCES

Mansuang
Wuthi-udomlert,
Ployphand
Chotipatoomwan, Sasikan Panyadee and Wandee
Gritsanapan, Inhibitory effect of formulated
lemongrass shampoo on Malassezia furfur: a
yeast Associated with dandruff, Southeast asian j
trop med public health, 42(2), 2011, 363-369.
Naveen S, Karthika S, Sentila R, Mahenthiran R,
Michael A, In-vitro evaluation of herbal and
chemical agents in the management of Dandruff,
J. Microbiol. Biotech. Res., 2 (6), 2012, 916-921.
Richa Madhu Sharma, Kinjal Shah, Janki Patel,
Evaluation of Prepared Herbal Shampoo
Formulations and To Compare Formulated
Shampoo with Marketed Shampoos, Int J Pharm
Pharm Sci, 3(4), 2011, 402-405.
Singla chhavi, Drabu sushma, Ali mohammed,
Potential of herbals as an antidandruff agents,
2(3), 2011, 16-18.

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