Abstract

ANTI-DANDRUFF POTENTIAL OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CARICA PAPAYA LEAVES AND ITS SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS WITH KETOCONAZOLE

Amita R. Somalwar, Janhvi A. Sande and Seema Somalwar*

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Abstract

Dandruff, a major worldwide problem, characterized by massive desquamation of scaly flakes of stratum corneum. The role of fungus, Malessezia furfur as a causative agent in pathogenesis of dandruff has been suggested. Natural plant extracts with bioactive phytoconstituents serve as safer alternative over synthetic antidandruff shampoos. Although, role of Carica papaya leaves as an antifungal agent has been demonstrated, its imperative role against Malassezia furfur has remained elusive. In the present study, dried powdered Carica papaya leaves were extracted in ethanol using maceration method. The preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening of ethanolic extract of papaya leaves was conducted. Moreover, in vitro antifungal activity of papaya leaves extract against M. furfur was assessed using broth dilution and agar cup plate methods. The synergistic activity of ethanolic extract of papaya leaves in combination with ketoconazole was performed using agar cup plate assay. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, carbohydrates, tannins, phenolic compounds and proteins. The ethanolic extract of papaya leaves exhibited antifungal activity at (2 mg/ml) and (2.2 mg/ml) concentration with zone of inhibition of 8±0.35 mm and 10±0.15 mm respectively in agar cup plate assay and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at (1.8 mg/ml). Moreover, in combination study, papaya leaves extract with ketoconazole (2 mg/ml+1 mg/ml) showed synergistic effect with zone of inhibition of 15±0.50 mm as compared to ketoconazole control (12±0.27 mm). We suggest that ethanolic extract of papaya leaves serve as potential antifungal agent for dandruff management.

Keywords: Carica papaya leaves, Antifungal, Antidandruff, Minimum inhibitory concentration, Zone of inhibition, Phytochemical screening.