EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL ANTI DANDRUFF OF ZISPHUS SPINA CHRESTIAN LEAVES EXTRACT IN FORM (GEL)
Background: Ziziphus spina-christi, known as Sidr in Arabic, is a medicinal plant indigenous to the Middle East, including Yemen. Its leaves are traditionally used in folk medicine for hair care, including washing and strengthening hair, due to their cleansing and soothing properties. The plant contains bioactive compounds such as saponins and flavonoids, which exhibit significant antibacterial and antifungal activities. Objectives: This study aimed to develop and formulate a topical anti-dandruff gel using an ethanolic extract of Ziziphus spina-christi leaves. The research focused on evaluating the physicochemical properties, stability, and antifungal efficacy of the formulated gel against dandruff-causing fungi such as Malassezia furfur.
Methods: Healthy leaves of Ziziphus spina-christi were collected from Sana'a University, rinsed with distilled water, and shade-dried at room temperature to preserve sensitive secondary metabolites. The dried leaves were pulverized into a coarse powder to maximize the surface area for extraction. Extraction was performed via cold maceration using 70% ethanol for 72 hours with periodic agitation. The resulting extract was filtered and subsequently incorporated into a Carbopol-based gel formulation. The gel formulations were evaluated for physical parameters including pH, viscosity, and homogeneity. Antifungal activity was assessed using the Agar Well Diffusion method and compared against a standard treatment (Ketoconazole 2%). Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of saponins, tannin and flavonoids in the ethanolic extract. The formulated gels maintained optimal physicochemical stability, with a pH range (approximately 5.5 to 6.5) compatible with the human scalp to avoid irritation. The antimicrobial testing of the Ziziphus spina-christi extract ,The 60% extract gel formulation is expected to show the highest dose-dependent inhibitory effect against dandruff related fungi, with results comparable to the synthetic gold standard.
Conclusions: The study successfully transformed a traditional herbal remedy into a modern, stable, and user-friendly pharmaceutical gel. The results indicate that a 5% Ziziphus spina-christi leaf extract gel provides a promising, natural, and safe alternative to synthetic anti-dandruff treatments. This formulation bridges the gap between traditional knowledge and modern pharmaceutical science, offering a viable solution for local industrial-scale production in Yemen.
Methods: Healthy leaves of Ziziphus spina-christi were collected from Sana'a University, rinsed with distilled water, and shade-dried at room temperature to preserve sensitive secondary metabolites. The dried leaves were pulverized into a coarse powder to maximize the surface area for extraction. Extraction was performed via cold maceration using 70% ethanol for 72 hours with periodic agitation. The resulting extract was filtered and subsequently incorporated into a Carbopol-based gel formulation. The gel formulations were evaluated for physical parameters including pH, viscosity, and homogeneity. Antifungal activity was assessed using the Agar Well Diffusion method and compared against a standard treatment (Ketoconazole 2%). Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of saponins, tannin and flavonoids in the ethanolic extract. The formulated gels maintained optimal physicochemical stability, with a pH range (approximately 5.5 to 6.5) compatible with the human scalp to avoid irritation. The antimicrobial testing of the Ziziphus spina-christi extract ,The 60% extract gel formulation is expected to show the highest dose-dependent inhibitory effect against dandruff related fungi, with results comparable to the synthetic gold standard.
Conclusions: The study successfully transformed a traditional herbal remedy into a modern, stable, and user-friendly pharmaceutical gel. The results indicate that a 5% Ziziphus spina-christi leaf extract gel provides a promising, natural, and safe alternative to synthetic anti-dandruff treatments. This formulation bridges the gap between traditional knowledge and modern pharmaceutical science, offering a viable solution for local industrial-scale production in Yemen.