Abstract

EVALUATION OF HAIR GROWTH PROMOTING ACTIVITY OF INDIGOFERA TINCTORIA LINN. IN MALE WISTAR RATS

Vishal Lad*, Chandrakant Suryawanshi, Amit Sinhal, Tushar Salunkhe, Vinod Wagh and Gopichand Bhoi

ABSTRACT

Alopecia is a dermatological disorder with psychosocial implications on patients with hair loss. Indigofera tinctoria Linn. is a well-known Ayurvedic herb with purported claims of hair growth promotion. In the reported work attempts were undertaken to evaluate petroleum ether and ethanol extract of Indigofera tinctoria Linn. for their effect on promoting hair growth in albino wistar rats. The extracts were incorporated into oleaginous cream (water in oil cream base) and applied topically on shaved denuded skin of albino rats. The time (in days) required for hair growth initiation as well as completion of hair growth cycle was recorded. Minoxidil 2% solution was applied topically and served as positive control for comparison. Hair growth initiation time was significantly reduced to half on treatment with the extracts, as compared to control animals. The time required for complete hair growth was also significantly reduced. Quantitative analysis of hair growth after treatment with petroleum ether extract (5%) exhibited greater number of hair follicles in anagenic phase, which were higher as compared to control. The result of treatment with 2 and 5% petroleum ether extracts were better than the positive control minoxidil 2% treatment.

Keywords: Alopecia, Hair growth, Indigofera tinctoria, Anagen, Telogen, Minoxidil.