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Influence of different oils on penetration of human hair by fungi

S Bahuguna1, R K Kushwaha

  • 1Department of Botany, Christ Church College, Kanpur-208 001, India.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science
|March 11, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Clove, olive, and turpentine oils effectively inhibited the hair-penetrating fungi Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton vanbreuseghemii. Other tested oils showed varying degrees of inhibition against these dermatophytes.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Dermatology
  • Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

  • Dermatophyte infections like those caused by Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton vanbreuseghemii pose a significant challenge.
  • Identifying natural compounds with antifungal properties is crucial for developing novel treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of seventeen different oils in inhibiting the hair perforating ability of Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton vanbreuseghemii.
  • To identify potent natural oils that can prevent fungal invasion of hair structures.

Main Methods:

  • Hair penetration assays were conducted using Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton vanbreuseghemii.
  • Fungal activity was assessed in the presence of seventeen different oils, including clove, olive, turpentine, cantharidine, arnica, and shikakai oils.
  • The degree of hair perforation was microscopically examined.

Main Results:

  • Clove oil, olive oil, and turpentine oil demonstrated complete inhibition of hair penetration by both M. gypseum and T. vanbreuseghemii.
  • Cantharidine oil and keocarpin hair vitalizer showed no hair perforation by T. vanbreuseghemii.
  • Arnica oil and shikakai oil exhibited minimal hair perforation by T. vanbreuseghemii.

Conclusions:

  • Clove, olive, and turpentine oils possess significant antifungal properties against M. gypseum and T. vanbreuseghemii, suggesting their potential therapeutic use.
  • Certain natural oils can effectively inhibit dermatophyte invasion of hair, offering a basis for developing new antifungal agents.

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