FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL ANTI-DANDRUFF SHAMPOO USING DRUG DESIIGN SOFTWARE

A polyherbal shampoo combining black pepper, moringa, and bitter melon extracts outperformed synthetic alternatives in laboratory tests for dandruff control — and the best-performing formula did so without causing skin irritation. Dandruff is caused largely by an overgrowth of a scalp fungus called Malassezia, and current antifungal shampoos often rely on synthetic chemicals that can irritate sensitive scalps over long-term use. Researchers set out to create a plant-based alternative by blending extracts from three herbs — Piper nigrum (black pepper), Moringa oleifera, and Momordica charantia (bitter melon) — each chosen for documented antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Seventeen different shampoo formulations were created by varying the concentration of each extract, then a statistical design tool called Box-Behnken Design was used to identify the most promising combinations. Five formulations were shortlisted and put through a battery of physical and chemical tests: pH, viscosity, surface tension, foam quality, wetting time, and antifungal effectiveness. The standout formula, labelled F16, hit a near-neutral pH of approximately 6.9 — close to the scalp's natural acidity — and performed well across every other measure. Importantly, it demonstrated genuine antifungal activity against the organism responsible for dandruff. The study positions this polyherbal shampoo as a potentially safer, biocompatible option for people who need long-term scalp treatment but want to avoid synthetic antifungal agents. Because this is a laboratory-based formulation study, human clinical testing has not yet been conducted.