COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ANTIDANDRUFF ACTIVITY OF SYNTHETIC SHAMPOOS AND CRUDE NEEM LEAF (Azadirachta indica) EXTRACT ON DANDRUFF CAUSING FUNGI

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ANTIDANDRUFF ACTIVITY OF SYNTHETIC SHAMPOOS AND CRUDE NEEM LEAF (Azadirachta indica) EXTRACT ON DANDRUFF CAUSING FUNGI

ABSTRACT

Dandruff is a very rampant and major cosmetic problem faced by many of different age group. In today’s world and the market loaded with antidandruff shampoos and other skin care products, there is need to assume resourceful research into this area to check the antidandruff activity of such antidandruff products. Experiment was carried out on the causative agent of dandruff Malassezia furfur which was isolated using SDA with olive oil. The antidandruff activities of the synthetic shampoos and plant extract (Neem leaf) were compared at different concentrations of 25 mg/ml,50mg/ml,100mg/ml and 200mg/ml. 200mg/m of Neem leaf (Azadirachta indica) extract showed the highest diameter zone of inhibition, at 200mg/ml showed 23.50mm while the lowest zone of inhibition at 25mg/m showed 7.87mm mean while the highest zone of inhibition for shampoos at 200mg/m showed 19.00mm while the lowest zone of inhibition of shampoo is 5.31mm/m. comparatively, this study revealed that Neem plant extract has anti dandruff properties.   

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                                          INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

Dandruff is a scalp disorder which is characterized by excessive shedding of skin cells from the scalp. It is a common problem faced by people of all age groups. As the epidermal layer continually replaces itself, cells are pushed outward where they eventually die and flake off. For most individuals, these flakes of skin are too small to be visible. However, certain conditions cause cell turnover to be unusually rapid, especially in the scalp. It is hypothesized that for people with dandruff, skin cells may mature and be shed in 2–7 days, as opposed to around a month in people without dandruff. The result is that dead skin cells are shed in large, oily clumps, which appear as white or grayish flakes on the scalp, skin and clothes (De Angelis et al., 2005). Yeast like lipophilic basidiomyceteousfungus Malassezia furfur (Pytirosporum ovale) is the causative organism for dandruff (Arora et al., 2011).

Malassezia converts the sebum lipid into fatty acids and triglycerides, which accelerate hyperproliferation of keratinoytes (Singla et al., 2011). The treatment options [ointments, lotions, shampoos] currently available for management of dandruff have zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, imidazole derivatives, selenium sulphide, tar derivatives, ketocanazole etc. as key ingredients (Vijayakumar et al.,2006). These synthetic treatment options have certain limitations, which may be due to poor efficacies or due to compliance issues (Vijayakumar et al., 2006).  These are unable to prevent reoccurrence of dandruff with side effects that cannot be neglected. The best approach to treat dandruff is to use plants and herbal formulations which possess antidandruff properties. Studies evaluating antifungal effect of essential oils have also been reported (Lee et al., 2010: Arora et al., 2013).Various natural plant extracts are known for their antidandruff properties. Evaluation of anti-fungal properties of such plant extracts can be done and they can be used effectively as an alternative to chemical agents in various anti dandruff formulations. Along with anti-fungal properties, plant extracts are also known for their conditioning properties which will be fruitful in maintaining the overall health of scalp and hair (Balakrishnan et al., 2011).

Older literature cites the fungus Malasseziaglobosa (previously known as Pityrosporumovale) as the cause of dandruff. While this species does occur naturally on the skin surface of both healthy people and those with dandruff, in 2007 it was discovered that the responsible agent is a scalp specific fungus, Malassezia furfur that metabolizes triglycerides present in sebum by the expression of lipase, resulting in a lipid by-product oleic acid. The increasing antimicrobial resistance exhibited by microorganisms causing dandruff infections has led to extensive research on the therapeutic potential of anti dandruff herbal plants.

1.2       Statement of Problem

Dandruff is a scalp disorder which is characterized by excessive shedding of skin cells from the scalp. It is a common problem faced by people of all age groups. As the epidermal layer continually replaces itself, cells are pushed outward where they eventually die and flake off. For most individuals, these flakes of skin are too small to be visible. However, certain conditions cause cell turnover to be unusually rapid, especially in the scalp. It is hypothesized that for people with dandruff, skin cells may mature and be shed in 2–7 days, as opposed to around a month in people without dandruff. The result is that dead skin cells are shed in large, oily clumps, which appear as white or grayish flakes on the scalp, skin and clothes (DeAngelis et al, 2003). Thus, this study seeks to compare the anti-dandruff activity of synthetic shampoo and neem plant extract on dandruff causing organisms.

1.3       Justification for the Study

Dandruff is a chronic scalp condition characterized by scaling, itching and redness of the scalp. It occurs when scalp sheds epidermal cells in large clumps. The skin of scalp renews itself about once a month. Usually, scalp sheds dead cells in nearly invisible way, but sometimes cell turnover becomes unusually rapid and dead cells are shed as visible flakes called dandruff (De Angelis et al., 2005). Dandruff is a major cosmetic problem that poses very great public health concern both in developed and developing countries (Chessbrough, 2004). 

This study then seeks to isolate and identify dandruff causing organisms and also to investigate the effect of synthetic shampoo and neem leaf extract on organism causing dandruff.

1.4       Aim of the Study

This work was aimed at isolating and identifying the organism causing dandruff and comparing the effectiveness of synthetic antidandruff shampoo and crude neem leaf (Azadirachta indica) extract which are   known for their antidandruff properties.

1.5       Objectives of the Study

The objectives were to:

1. Isolate and identify dandruff causing organism

2. Prepare Neem leaf (Azadirachta indica) extract using water as solvent.

3. Compare the effect of synthetic shampoo and neem leaf extract on organisms causing dandruff.