Key words: Phytochemistry, antifungal activity, Natural Mashi, clinical study
Abstract
The main objective of the present study was to carry out the preliminary phyotochemical studies, qualitative estimation of protein, enzyme activity, antifungal assay and hair dye preparations. Natural Mashi (Hair dyes) were prepared with polyherbal combination in a classical way and clinical trials were carried out. Preliminary phytochemical analysis (Brindha et al., 1981) of the selected plants showed the presence of steroids, reducing sugars, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavanoids, tannins, saponins, anthraquinones and aminoacids. The protein content (Lowry’s method, 1951), was also found to be adequate in the selected plants which gives strength to the hair. Leaves and fruits of the selected plants possess activities of enzymatic antioxidants in catalase and peroxidase (Kar and Mishra, 1976) which was also confirmed in the present study. The antifungal activity (Berghe and vlietinck, 1991) of the selected plants showed very good activity against Tinea eapitis and Candida albicans. Hair dye was prepared as per the procedures adopted in beauty parlours and in ayurvedie methods. Prepared hair dyes were tried clinically and proved to be safe and ecofriendly without any side effects than the commercial dyes which contain hazardous chemicals. Funds provided by TNSCST& DBT (Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology and Department of Bio-technology, Govt of India) for the present work are gratefully acknowledged.
Corresponding Author: Muthulakshmi,S, 38, Middle Street, Melagaram-627818, Tenkasi (TK), Tirunelveli (DT) Tamil Nadu, Tel. No: 04633 228275. Mobile- 9790398778 E-mail Id : gkrishna600@gmail.com