Dandruff is characterized as a hyperproliferation of the scalp epidermis accompanied with scalp itching and redness (
1). Dandruff mechanism is thought to be the result of the activity of enzyme called lipase (
2). The
Malassezia fungus (cause dandruff) uses this enzyme to break down sebum to oleic acid (pro-inflammatory free fatty acids) (
2). Also, this fatty acid penetrates into the top layer of scalp and causes inflammation and increased skin cell flaking, in susceptible people (
2,
3). Nowadays many chemical treatments are available for reducing and removing highly resistant dandruff against therapeutic cure, on the other hand, there are many antidandruff productions with poor clinical efficacy in markets (
4). Due to these concerns, now days, a great tendency to use medicinal plant extracts is revealed to treat dandruff. Some studies showed that extracts of
Punica granatum L. (
5,
6),
Rosmarinus officinalis L. (
7,
8),
Matricaria chamomilla L. (
9),
Urtica dioica L. (
10),
Mentha piperita L. (
11,
12), and
Salvia officinalis L.(
12) remove scalp dandruff, or at least decrease it to high extent. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical trial for dandruff therapy by Zinc L-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (Zinc-PCA) and pirocton olamine in combination with the above-mentioned six medicinal plant extracts.
Punica granatum L. belongs to the family Punicaceae (
13). This plant has been used for thousands of years to cure a wide range of diseases, especially dandruff and scalp inflammation. It is one of the most important endemic plants in Iran (
14).
Punica granatum L. chemical constituents are ellagic acid, ellagitannins (including punicalagins), luteolin, β-sitosterol, icosanoic, linolenic, citric acid, malic acid, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, coumaric acid, anthocyanins, polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins (
15-
17). In various studies reported that these chemical compounds have various pharmacological properties, including anti-itching, antidandruff, anti-inflammatory (by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines) and antioxidant (
18-
22). They also have inhibitory effects on enzymes cyclooxygenase (COX), lipooxygenase (LOX) and Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) (
23,
24). As COX and LOX are key enzymes in converting arachidonic acid to prostaglandins and leukotriene’s which cause inflammation (
25,
26). Also tannin, ellagic acid and phenolic acid in the plant possess antidandruff, antifungal and antimicrobial properties (
5,
6).
Rosmarinus officinalis L. is native of Mediterranean and related to the family Lamiaceae. This plant grows widely in large areas of southern Europe, northern Africa, England, Mexico and USA.
Rosmarinus officinalis chemical compounds include 1,8-cineole (15 - 55%), β and α-pinene (9 - 26%), camphor (5 - 31%), resin, tannic acid, flavonoids, volatile oils consists of borneol (1.5 - 5%), lomonene (1.5 - 5%), comphene (2.5 - 12%) and cineole (
27,
28).
This plant has been traditionally used as an antibacterial and antifungal effective ingredient due to reduce fatty acid peroxidation and inhibit fungi growth in pH = 5 - 6 by membrane damage, related to the loss of ions and membrane potential reduction, collapsing proton pump and ATP depletion (
7,
29) Moreover, the antioxidant properties of the
R. officinalis methanolic extract is attributed to its phenolic compounds, flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, natural pigments such as capsaicin and curcumin, and terpens such as carnosic acid and carnosol (
8,
30).
Matricaria chamomilla L. is an annual plant related to the family
Asteraceae and it mainly grows in Europe, Asia and Africa (
31). The main constituents of this plant include terpenoids α-bisabolol (56%), luteolin, chamazulene and azulenes that they have properties anti-inflammations by blocking cyclooxygenase enzyme in the synthesis of prostaglandins and inhibit leukotriene formation.
Matricaria chamomilla L. components also relieve skin and inhibit fungal growth (
32,
33). The other compounds of
M. chamomilla are caffeic acid, flavones: apigenin, glycoside, flavonols: quercelin, rutin, uronic acid and a bitter substance named anthemique acid acts as a great anti-allergic substance. Moreover, studies have shown that the mentioned herb inhibits prostaglandin formation, cyclooxygenase: (COX-1), (COX-2) and central enzymes in pro-inflammatory pathways. As well as it blocks histamine release, based on this fact, its anti-inflammatory effect is revealed (
9,
34).
Urtica dioica L. is a perennial plant and belongs to the family Urticaceae. It grows in temperate regions such as Asia, Europe and America. This plant essential oils and extract contains formic acid and acetic acid, histamine, tannins, mucilage, vitamins (A, B1, B2 and C), lutein and lycopene have medicinal effects. Interestingly,
U. dioica inhibits the 5-α-reductas enzyme and promotes blood flow to nourish follicles due to β-sitosterol and ursolic acid (
10).
Mentha piperita L. is a perennial and important therapeutic plant that belongs to the family Labiate. The plant is endemic of Europe, although now it is being cultivated all around the world.
M. piperita leaves contains 0.5 - 4% volatile oil (50 - 78% free menthol, menthone, monoterpene and menthofurane) (
11,
12,
35). This oil has a notable role in alleviating pain and improving blood flow in the scalp (
36,
37). Azulenes, carotenes, coline, essential oil (containing β and α-pinene), cineole, limonene (1 - 5%), flavonoids: menthoside (14 - 32%), rosmarinic acid and tannins are inhibitory to bacteria, fungi and yeasts growth (
38,
39).
Salvia officinalis L. is medicinal and aromatic plant belongs to the family Lamiaceae, which is native to Mediterranean countries (
39). An important chemical compounds of this plant include linoleic acid, gallic acid, ursolic acid, luteolin and apigenin for removing dandruff and fungus (
39,
40). Additionally, rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid, flavonoids, phenolic acid, caumarins, tannins (
41-
43), 1 and 8-cineole, campher and borneol, possess strong anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial activities (
40,
44) by inhibiting liposomes lipid peroxidation (
45). These biological effects act through modulation of signal transduction pathways, inhibiting cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases (
46,
47). In this study, antidandruff and anti-inflammatory properties of the mentioned six medicinal plants in combination with two chemical compounds pirocton olamin (PO) and Zinc PCA are being examined on hair with dandruff, in order to evaluate the efficacy of extracts on dandruff removal and reducing chemical side effects.