Preclinical studies of a novel polyherbal phytosome cream intended for hair growth promotion

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore effect of a polyherbal phytosome formulation incorporated with aqueous extracts of Trichosanthes cucumerina (T. cucumerina) Linn and Abrus precatorius (A. precatoius) Linn on enhancing the hair growth. MethodsLeaves of T. cucumerina and A. precatoius were separately extracted with distilled water and then subjected to preliminary chemical test. It was then made into a phytosome complex and finally formulated into a hair cream. The various evaluation parameters like organoleptic characters, presence of foreign particles/grittiness, determination of pH, irritancy, partition coefficient, drug content, diffusion studies, stability studies, sterility test, SEM, FT-IR, solubility and hair growth promoting activity were performed. ResultsMicroscopic view of phytosome complex showed micelle structure. The formulated phytosome hair cream had a smooth consistency with slightly acidic pH. FT-IR studies showed that the phytoconstituents were compatible with the excipients used. SEM studies revealed binding nature of the complex. The cream was found to be stable as the globule size, and was not altered on storage. Sterility testing proved the formulation to be free from microbial attack. The preclinical studies showed that the formulated 2% polyherbal phytosome cream was an effective hair growth promoter as the results were analogous to that of minoxidil 2%. It was observed that percentage of hair follicles in the anagen phase increased considerably which predicts that the formulation can be used in alopecia. ConclusionsAs the 2% polyherbal phytosome hair cream did not show any kind of irritancy or toxicity to the test animals it can be suggested that the prepared cream can be a better alternative for synthetic hair growth promoters.