DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF POLYHERBAL FORMULATIONS FOR HAIR GROWTH-PROMOTING ACTIVITY

Hair loss (technically known as alopecia) is a loss of hair from the head or body. Baldness can refer to general hair loss or male pattern baldness specifically. Some types of baldness can be caused by Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder. Eclipta alba (Asteraceae), Bacopa monnieri (Plantaginaceae), Trigonella foenugraecum (Fabaceae) are well known Ayurvedic herbs with purported claims of hair growth promotion. Hair formulation of Eclipta alba 10% w/v, Bacopa monnieri 10 % w/v, Trigonella foenugraecum 5 % w/v concentration in the form of herbal oil were studied and showed excellent hair growth activity with standard (2% minoxidil ethanolic solution) in wister albino rats. Hair growth initiation time was significantly reduced to half on treatment with the oil, as compared to control animals. The time required for complete hair growth was also significantly reduced. Quantitative analysis of hair growth after treatment with oil exhibited greater number of hair follicles in anagenic phase i.e. 82 which were higher as compared to control (52). The results of treatment with oil were better than the positive control minoxidil 2% treatment. It holds the promise of potent herbal alternative for minoxidil.