Researchers Use GC-MS to Explore Patchouli Oil for Hair Care

Hair loss and dandruff remain significant challenges in hair care. Patchouli oil has emerged as a promising solution due to its high content of bioactive compounds. Researchers from Indonesian institutions explored the multifunctional potential of fractionated patchouli oil in hair care formulations aimed at promoting hair growth and controlling dandruff caused by the yeast Malassezia globosa. Crude patchouli oil (CPO) was fractionated to enhance its efficacy, yielding light fraction patchouli oil (LFPO), which was characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Hair tonic formulations containing three different LFPO concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%) were developed and assessed for stability, pH, viscosity, and antifungal activity against M. globosa. Their findings were published in the journal narra j (1).

Hair is susceptible to various infectious conditions (2-5), particularly from Malassezia globosa, which is associated with dandruff in both humans and animals (6-8). Malassezia spp. naturally inhabits the human scalp, and its interaction with the bacteria Staphylococcus spp., which breaks down sebum, stimulates the production of dandruff as well as the appearance of seborrheic dermatitis (9-11).

Commonly used in products such as creams, lotions, soaps, and perfumes, patchouli oils act as a strong fixative and natural insect repellent (12,13). Alcohol produced from patchouli has been shown to have antimicrobial effects against various pathogenic bacteria (14). Although a study demonstrated its antifungal activity against Penicillium digitatum (15), research conducted regarding its antifungal properties remains limited, particularly studies on the antifungal effects of fractionated patchouli oil derived from CPO against Malassezia sp. and its potential to promote hair growth (1).

The results of this study showed that LFPO contained 2.51% acid number, 0.70% ester number, 0.71 mg/kg iron content, and 25.88% patchoulol. The formulations exhibited stable physicochemical properties, with pH levels of 5.36-5.51 and viscosity ranging from 3.94 to 4.08 centipoise (cP), suitable for hair tonic applications. Formulation of 1.5% LFPO demonstrated the strongest antifungal activity, producing a 31.18±1.37 mm inhibition zone against M. globosa, surpassing ketoconazole (21.72±0.28 mm), suggesting potential as a natural antifungal agent. Histological analysis in rabbits revealed that 1.5% LFPO formulation reduced epidermal cell shedding, increased hair length by 41.6±0.35 mm after six weeks and promoted dense hair follicle growth (1).

The researchers suggest that these findings provide a solid foundation for developing natural, effective, and stable hair care formulations. While the results are promising, they emphasize that the efficacy and safety of LFPO formulations in humans have not yet been evaluated. Accordingly, they recommend conducting clinical trials to assess skin tolerance, potential irritation, and long-term effects under real-world conditions (1).

References

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2. Pereira-Silva, M.; Martins, A. M.; Sousa-Oliveira, I, et al. Nanomaterials in hair care and treatment. Acta Biomater. 2022, 142, 14-35. DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.02.025
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13. Deng, W.; Li, M.; Liu, S, et al. Repellent Screening of Selected Plant Essential Oils Against Dengue Fever Mosquitoes Using Behavior Bioassays. Neotrop. Entomol. 2023, 52 (3), 521-529. DOI: 10.1007/s13744-023-01039-z
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