Antifungal activity of Vibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn) Roxb.) against dandruff causing organism Malassezia furfur – an in vitro study

Introduction. Dandruff is the commonest scalp disorder. It affects around 50 % of the pre-pubertal age group of any gender. Malazzasia species play a major role in pathogenesis of this condition which is one of the causes for hair fall. Hence It was chosen as Krimi (Fungi) for invitro antimicrobial study. The current treatment options for dandruff includes using antifungal shampoos which have certain limitations besides they are known to cause discoloration of hair, Pruritic, dryness of scalp and hair. Hence this study was under taken to find better herbal alternative to manage Dandruff. Vibhitaki which is one of the primary constituents of Triphala (Classical polyherbal formulation of three fruits) is known to have keshya (Beneficial to hair) and krimighna karma (Anti-microbial activity). Hence Invitro antifungal activity of Vibhitaki was tested against dandruff causing organism Malassezia furfur.

Aim. To evaluate the Antifungal activity of Vibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn)Roxb.) against dandruff causing organism Malassezia furfur using well diffusion method.

Materials and methods. Well diffusion method was employed for Invito anti-fungal study. Different forms of the drug were chosen for antimicrobial study viz Vibhitaki taila (Vibhitaki oil), Aqueous extract, Methanolic extract of Vibhitaki fruit and Narikela taila (Coconut oil).

Results and discussion. The zone of inhibition was measured to check the Antifungal activity of Vibhitaki fruit using suitable internal standard positive control. Methanolic extract of Vibhitaki has shown better antimicrobial activity than aqueous extract of Vibhitaki against Malassezia furfur but it was not that of standard drug’s zone of Inhibition. Whereas Vibhitaki taila and Narikela taila did not show any antimicrobial activity against Malassezia furfur.

Conclusion. Methanolic extract and aqueous extract of Vibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica) possess antifungal activity against Malassezia furfur.

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