Formulation and Evaluation of Natural Herbal Hair Dye Gel Using Lawsonia inermis (Henna Leaves) and Skin Irritation Studies in Albino Rats

Introduction: Hairs are protective appendages on the body that remain on one or other part of body from the time of birth to death. People who carry luxuriant and lustrous hair are regarded as young and beautiful. Since the conventional methods of hair coloring by the use of natural or synthetic colorants has limitations, an attempt has been made in this study to formulate a hair dye using crude drugs having good coloring property that is safe and ready to use. Objectives: To formulate and evaluate natural polyherbal hair dye gel using henna, tea, hibiscus leaves powder and amla fruit extract. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, powders of Henna leaves, Hibiscus leaves, Amla fruits and Tea leaves were procured from the local market in Sikkim and Kathmandu. The extract was prepared by cold maceration using water as solvent. Preliminary identification of phytochemical constituents was performed. Various physical parameters were used for standardization. Formulation of hair dye gel were done using carbopol-934, extract of henna, tea, hibiscus leaves powder, amla fruit extract, glycerin, sodium hydroxide solution (1%), methyl paraben and distilled water. Dyeing studies of formulated gel and marketed gel on human hair was performed. Skin Irritation study of formulated gel was performed in albino rats (n = 6) as per experimental protocol approved by Institutional animal ethical committee IAEC No. HPI/2018/IAEC/PP-0165. Observation and Results: The study revealed that all the selected plants contain alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins & phenolic compounds, glycosides, carbohydrate, saponin, fat & volatile oils, gum & mucilage, sterols and protein which imparts benefits such as promotion of hair growth and prevention of hair greying while being safe and eco-friendly. Comparison of physicochemical properties of formulated and marketed formulation both has similar color, appearance and consistency. Skin irritation studies showed absence of erythema and or edema indicating absence of sensitivity or reaction on the skin. Conclusions: The above findings suggest that the prepared formulation was good and can be used for hair dyeing purposes without irritation and erythema.