Abstract:
Background: The increase in fungal infections encourages the use in natural remedies such as
Chyanthillium cinereum (L.) H. Rob., from the Asteraceae family, recognized for its potent
antifungal properties. Based on this, the formulation and evaluation of an herbal anti-fungal
shampoo were conducted in the present study.
Objectives: To evaluate the in vitro anti-fungal activity of the whole plant extract of Cyanthillium
cinereum (L.) H. Rob. against Candida albicans, formulate and determine the stability of a trial
shampoo mixture
Methods: Antifungal activity of the methanolic crude extract of C. cinereum was determined
using agar well diffusion method against clinical isolates of Candida albicans. Fluconazole was
used as the positive control. Three shampoo formulations, namely F1, F2, and F3 were formulated
by adding different concentrations of crude extract; 50, 100, and 150 mg/mL, respectively. The
formulated shampoo mixtures were subjected to both physiochemical and antifungal evaluation
and compared with a commercially available anti-fungal shampoo (Dansel K) and kept for 15 days
to check the stability.
Results: In the antifungal assay, three different concentrations of crude extract, 100, 200, and 400
mg/mL, and positive control showed the zone of inhibition (ZOI) 13.98±1.32, 14.56±0.48,
16.11±0.65, and 21.98±1.00 mm, respectively. Among the trial formulations, F3 formulation
exhibited a 17.85±0.58 mm ZOI while commercial product exhibited 24.12±0.73 mm (p<0.001).
The formulated shampoo is opaque and green in color with a pleasant odor. It showed acceptable
physicochemical characteristics and stability. Trial shampoo formulation yielded 12 mL of foam,
while the commercial product did 20 mL. Both have 20-30% solid content with moderate dirt
dispersion ability and the pH was 6-7 range with 7205 cP of viscosity.
Conclusion: There is a potential for using the crude extract of C. cinereum in shampoo
formulations. Isolation and identification of the pure compound/s of the crude extract that
remarkably contribute/s for this activity would be more worthwhile in commercialization.
