DEVELOPMENT AND IN VIVO STUDIES OF HERBAL HAIR OIL FOR HAIR GROWTH PROMOTION

摘要

Alopecia or baldness is a very common dermatological disorder. In the present study a herbal hair oil for hair growth promotion was formulated and evaluated for its hair growth potential. The olive oil based herbal hair oil was prepared from the seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum treated with Aloe vera gel (prepared with fresh Aloe vera leaves). The prepared oil was subjected to characterization for various physicochemical parameters like acid value, iodine value, saponification value, peroxide value, refractive index, specific gravity, odour and taste. All these values conformed to compendia requirements. Hair growth activity of the developed oil was studied in comparison of 2 % minoxidil solution (standard) in albino rats for 30 days. The hair growth initiation time of prepared herbal oil (5 days) was even less than that of standard or minoxidil-treated groups (8 days). The herbal oil also showed the least hair growth completion time (18 days) in comparison of standard (21 days) and control (25 days). With the treatment of herbal oil, the hair length as well as diameter was also considerably increased as compared to control and standard. It was concluded that the prepared olive oil based herbal hair oil of Trigonella has potential components to stimulate hair growth even in short term treatment.