Abstract

     In this present study, we evaluated the hair growth promoting effect of a local commercial herbal cleanser which contains three Chinese herbs namely, Camellia oleifera Abel., Radix Angelica sinensis and Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. In vitro toxicology testing on the human fibroblast cell line, CCD-118Sk using the tetrazolium dye (MTT) assay showed that the herbal cleanser exhibited mild cytotoxic activity. An in vivo study was conducted whereby the shaved dorsal skin of male and female Wistar rats were treated daily with topical application of 10 and 20% solutions of the herbal cleanser for 30 days. Histological examination of skin biopsies taken from the treated areas at the end of the study period showed that the topical application of the herbal cleanser did not cause any apparent toxicity on the rats’ skin. In fact, a significant increase in hair follicles count was observed and more anagen phase hair follicles induced as compared to the control group. These findings suggest that the herbal cleanser has hair growth promoting potential.

Key words: Herbal cleanser, hair follicles, hair growth.