Scalp care efficacy of a multi-herb extract

Malassezia furfur is a lipophilic and dermatological pathogenic yeast, which normally exists on human skin, and causes tinea versicolor, seborrhoeic dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis, especially on human scalp. The multi-herb extraction, VGP, which consists of Vitex trifolia fruit, Gentiana scabra, and Polygonum multiflorum root extract was used to study its effect of anti-inflammation, controlling sebum and dandruff on scalp care. Results showed that on the model of NHEK and THP1 cell inflammation induced by Malassezia furfur, VGP can inhibit the expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6), prostaglandin E2 (PGE-2), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) in a dose-dependent manner under 0.01% to 0.125% concentration. On the inflammatory model of 3D reconstructed skin induced by H2O2, VGP significantly improved the cell viability and skin structure, and reduced the production of interleukin 8 (IL-8), PGE-2, and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). During 4 week’s treatment with test shampoo containing 0.5% VGP thrice a week on 16 subjects met with different symptoms, VGP reduced the sebum content and TEWL, improved the redness, itching and dandruff on human scalp skin. Therefore, as a natural active ingredient VGP can play a role in scalp care and skin care by targeting inflammation.

Human scalp reveals a remarkable difference to the hairy skin of other body regions. The structure of the scalp offers effective protection against water loss and contributes to thermoregulation due to significant vascularization. Dandruff is a skin condition that affects the scalp of up to half the world’s population, it is characterised by an itchy, flaky scalp and is associated with colonisation of the skin by Malassezia spp. 1-4

Malassezia furfur is lipophilic and dermatological pathogenic yeast, which normally exists on human skin, and causes tinea versicolor, seborrhoeic dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis, especially on human scalp.5-7 These M. furfurrelated diseases are often difficult to treat and require prolonged use of antifungal and antiinflammatory medications.8-10 However, recently available antifungal drugs to treat this fungal infection are highly toxic and costly when used in prolonged treatments. A promising approach for developing new cutaneous antifungals may lie with natural plants because of their ability to efficiently kill microbial pathogens and high-security.11