Evaluation of Hair Growth Promoting Activity of Maharanga bicolor and Hibiscus rosa sinensis

Abstract

Alopecia is common and most frequently complaint dermatological disorder since the time immemorial. Various herbal and allopathic formulations are reported to have hair growth promoting activity. Minoxidil and Finasteride are only US FDA approved drugs for alopecia and hair loss. Maharanga bicolor and Hibiscus rosa sinensis are two ethnomedicinal herbs commonly used for hair growth promotion. Present study was conducted to determine hair growth promoting activity of petroleum ether extract of M. bicolor and H. rosa sinensis in Aloe vera gel. Minoxidil Sulphate and Different formulations of petroleum ether extract of M. bicolor and H. rosa sinensis was formulated in Aloe vera gel and applied to denuated area of rats for 30 days. Hair growth pattern, hair growth initiation, hair growth completion and length of hair was measured. M. bicolor (2%) formulation shows shortest hair growth initiation time on 6th day compared to 11th day in blank sample. Formulation containing 2% of each extract have shortest hair growth completion time on 19th day of sample application and showed potent hair growth pattern observed by blind investigation. The result suggests that petroleum ether extract of M. bicolor and H. rosa sinensis possess good hair growth promoting activity.

Key words: Maharanga bicolor, Hibiscus rosa sinensis, Hair growth promotion, Activity