WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

Chetia et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

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Volume 14, Issue 5, XXX-XXX Research Article ISSN 2278 – 4357

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF A POLYHERBAL

SHAMPOO ENRICHED WITH CASSIA FISTULA AND ALOE VERA
LEAF EXTRACTS

Mrinmoy Pratim Chetia*1, Monalisa Orea1, Chemina Begam1, Regima Mili1, Mamtaz
Parbin2, Anisha Siddika1, Kamal Hassan2, Apurba Roy3, Abhishek Guha Roy4, Izaz
Hussain1, Sneha Parbin1 and Lakhyajit Borah1

1
School of Pharmacy, Arunachal University of Studies, Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, 792103.
2
Krishnaguru Adhyatmik Visvavidyalaya, Nasatra, Barpeta, Assam, Pin-781307, Assam,
India.
3
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vivekananda College of pharmacy, Khaprail,
Siliguri, India.
4
School of Pharmacy, The Assam Kaziranga University, Koraikhowa, NH-37, Jorhat
785006, Assam, India.

ABSTRACT
Article Received on
26 March 2025, The increasing demand for herbal and eco-friendly personal care
Revised on 16 April 2025, products has led to a growing interest in natural shampoo formulations.
Published on 06 May 2025
DOI: 10.20959/wjpps20255-29887 This study aimed to formulate and evaluate a polyherbal shampoo
using aqueous leaf extracts of Cassia fistula and Aloe vera, known for
their cleansing and therapeutic properties. The shampoo was prepared
by combining herbal extracts with standard shampoo base ingredients,
including SLS, guar gum, glycerine, and essential oils. The final
formulation was assessed through various physicochemical and
*Corresponding Author
Mrinmoy Pratim Chetia performance-based tests such as pH, solid content, surface tension,
School of Pharmacy, foaming ability and stability, dirt dispersion, and wetting time. Results
Arunachal University of revealed that the shampoo had a pleasant odour, dark coloration, and a
Studies, Namsai, Arunachal
viscous consistency, with a pH value of 6.95 ± 0.15, suitable for scalp
Pradesh, 792103.
health. The solid content was 23.42%, indicating optimal spreadability
[email protected]
and ease of rinsing. It showed excellent foam stability for up to five
minutes and effectively reduced the surface tension to 33.79 ± 2.13 dynes/cm, demonstrating
good cleansing efficacy. Furthermore, the dirt dispersion and wetting time tests confirmed its

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Chetia et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

potential as a mild yet effective hair cleanser. Overall, the formulated herbal shampoo proved
to be a promising alternative to commercial chemical-based shampoos, combining
effectiveness with natural and sustainable ingredients.

KEYWORDS: Cassia fistula, Aloe vera, herbal shampoo, physicochemical characterization.

1. INTRODUCTION
Shampoo is a widely used hair care product, typically a viscous liquid, designed to cleanse
the scalp and hair by removing dirt, and excess sebum.[1] Its regular use is essential for
maintaining scalp hygiene and healthy hair. Conventional shampoos are primarily synthetic,
composed of artificial surfactants, preservatives, and fragrances. While effective in cleaning,
prolonged use of these chemical-based products has been associated with adverse effects such
as scalp irritation, dryness, and even hair fall.[1,2] As a result, there is a growing consumer
shift towards safer, plant-based alternatives. Herbal shampoos have emerged as a natural
solution, formulated with botanical extracts, essential oils, and herbal infusions.

Cassia fistula, commonly known as the golden shower tree, Indian laburnum, or amaltas, is a
highly valued member of the Fabaceae family and is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent
and Southeast Asia.[3,4] It is a deciduous, medium-sized tree that can grow up to a height of
24m.[5,6] The Cassia fistula plant is also valued for its medicinal properties that has long been
used in Ayurveda and traditional medicines, including skin issues and digestive disorders.[7]
Aloe vera, another renowned plant in herbal medicine, is known for its moisturizing, anti-
inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, making it a common ingredient in skincare and
hair care formulations.[8,9] The purpose of our study is to formulate an herbal shampoo using
the leaf extract of Cassia fistula and Aloe vera and to evaluate its cleansing efficiency and
potential benefits for hair care. The work focuses on exploring the natural cleansing and
antimicrobial properties[10,11] of Cassia fistula leaves as an eco-friendly and sustainable
alternative to commercial chemical-based shampoos. Recent studies have emphasized the
growing importance of plant-based formulations in healthcare applications.[12,13]

2. METHODS AND MATERIALS

2.1 Collection of cassia fistula leaves.
The leaves of Cassia fistula and Aloe Vera were identified and collected in the month of
January from the Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh.

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Chetia et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

2.2 Extraction of Cassia fistula leaves and Aloe Vera

Fresh leaves of Cassia fistula were washed under running water to remove foreign substances
and shade-dried for four days. The dried leaves were grinded into a coarse powder and stored
in an airtight container for further analysis.

5g of Cassia fistula and 10 g of Aloe Vera were mixed with 100 ml of distilled water. The
mixture was placed in a magnetic stirrer and allowed to boiling until the water reduced to 25
ml. The solution is then filtered, and an herbal extract was obtained.[14]

2.3 Formulation of herbal shampoo

For formulation of herbal shampoo, herbal extract was mixed with SLS solution, NaCl
solution, guar gum solution, glycerine, and distilled water as per the formula given in Table
1. 50 ml of distilled water is added to make up the final capacity. Add 1 ml of rosemary oil to
shampoo to improve its aroma. Then, add one vitamin E capsule for conditioning benefits,
activated charcoal to impart colour, and 1 ml of lemon juice as a preservative.[15]

Table 1: Ingredients of polyherbal shampoo.

Ingredients Quantity
Herbal extract 10 ml
SLS (3.5%) 10 ml
0.1M NaCl 10 ml
Guar gum 5 ml
Glycerine 1 ml
Rosemary oil 1 ml
Vitamin E
1
capsule
Activated
1g
charcoal
Lemon juice 1 ml
Water 25 ml

2.4 Characterization of Herbal Shampoo

To evaluate the quality of the prepared herbal shampoo, various quality control tests such as
organoleptic and physicochemical characterization were performed.

2.4.1 Physical appearance/ visual inspection

The formulated shampoo was evaluated for its physical characteristics, including colour,
odour, state, consistency, through visual and sensory examination.[16]

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Chetia et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

2.4.2 Determination of pH
The pH of 10% v/v shampoo solution in distilled water was determined at room temperature
using pH meter (Khera Instruments Pvt Ltd). The pH of shampoo is essential for enhancing
the qualities of hair, reduces skin irritation.[16]

2.4.3 Determination of solid content

A clean, dry china dish was weighed, and 4 grams of shampoo were placed in the same china
dish. The dish with shampoo was then weighed. The dish was placed on a hot plate till the
liquid portion evaporated.[17] Then the weight of shampoo after drying was calculated using
equation 1:
Solid content % = × 100 (1)

2.4.4 Dirt dispersion test

Two drops of shampoo were added to 10 ml of distilled water in the test tube. Two drops of
Indian ink were added to this solution, and the test tube was sealed and shaken 10 times. The
amount of ink in the foam was estimated as none, light, moderate, or heavy.[18]

2.4.5 Surface tension measurement

Measurement of surface tension of herbal shampoo was carried out using a stalagmometer.
The principle of surface tension is to quantify the number of drops of herbal shampoo falling
from the capillary tube (15). The surface tension was determined using equation 2:

ST= × tw (2)

Where,
nl: No. of drops of liquid
nw: No. of drops of water
dl: Density of liquid
dw: Density of water
tw: 72 dynes/cm

2.4.6 Foaming ability and foam stability

The determination of foam ability was carried out using cylinder shake method. About 50 ml
of 1% herbal shampoo solution was put in a 250 ml graduated cylinder and shaken for 10 min
by covering it with hands. The total volume of foam content after 1 min was recorded. The
volume of foam at 1 min intervals for 10 min was recorded. The volume of foam remains the

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Chetia et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

same throughout the period of about 5 min, showing that the foam generated has shampoo
has good stability and the prepared shampoo exhibits good foam properties.[19]

2.4.7 Wetting time test

The wetting time test was done by cutting a canvas paper into 1-inch diameter discs having
an average weight of 0.44 g. The smooth surface of disc was placed on the surface of the 1%
v/v shampoo solution, and the stopwatch was started. The time required for the disc to begin
to sink was noted down as wetting time.[20]

3. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
The data obtained from the average of three readings were analysed statistically using
GraphPad Prism 8.0.2 software (GraphPad Inc. San Diego, CA, USA). All the data shown in
tables and figures are mean ± standard deviation and were obtained by performing the tests in
triplicate.

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Formulation of herbal shampoo
An herbal shampoo was formulated by using aqueous Cassia fistula extracts, Aloe Vera
extracts, and other ingredients. Aloe vera contains high levels of phytochemicals such as
saponins, which are natural surfactants possessing good detergency and foaming properties.
A good shampoo must have adequate viscosity to facilitate removal from the bottle but must
not drip down from the hair during use. 10 ml of guar gum solution was used as a viscosity
builder, lemon juice maintains the acidic pH of the formulated shampoo, and essential oil was
added as a preservative and for its essence.

Figure 1: Formulation of polyherbal shampoo.

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Chetia et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

4.2 Evaluation of herbal shampoo

4.2.1 Physical appearance/ visual inspection
A cosmetic product such as shampoo should exhibit an attractive physical appearance to
ensure consumer acceptance. The formulated shampoo was evaluated in terms of colour,
odour, state, consistency. Our prepared shampoo was viscous, black and had good odour.

4.2.2 Determination of pH
Shampoos are generally formulated to be neutral or slightly alkaline to reduce potential
damage to the hair. Maintaining an appropriate pH level not only helps in reducing eye
irritation but also supports hair health and preserves the natural balance of the scalp.[16] The
pH of our formulated shampoo was found to be nearly neutral: 6.95 ± 0.15.

4.2.3 Determination of solid content

An ideal shampoo typically contains 20% to 30% solid content, which ensures it can be easily
applied to the hair and rinsed off effectively. A lower solid content may result in a runny
consistency that doesn’t stay on the hair long enough to cleanse properly, while an
excessively high solid content can make the shampoo thick and difficult to rinse out
completely. The formulated shampoo had a solid content of 23.42%, which is within the
optimal range for solid content.

4.2.4 Dirt dispersion test

Dirt dispersion is an important criterion for evaluation of the cleansing action of shampoo. A
shampoo is considered low quality if it concentrates ink in the foam; the dirt should remain in
the water. It will be very difficult to wash away dirt that stuck in the foam; it remains on the
hair. The formulated shampoo indicates that no dirt remains on the foam and thus indicates
that the formulated shampoo is well formulated.[17]

Figure 2: Determination of pH (a) and Dirt dispersion (b).

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Chetia et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

4.2.5 Surface tension measurement

The amount of surfactant present in shampoo that lowers surface tension is indicated by
surface tension. The shampoo’s cleaning power increases with decreasing surface tension. A
shampoo is considered as good quality if it decreases the surface tension of pure water from
72 dynes/cm to roughly 40 dynes/cm.[16] The formulated shampoo reduces the surface tension
from 72 dynes/cm to 33.79 ± 2.13 dynes/cm. Good detergency action is shown by a decrease
in surface tension.

4.2.6 Foaming ability and foaming stability

Foaming ability is a key parameter in the evaluation of shampoo formulations. The foams
generated by formulated shampoo are fine, dense, and stable. The formulated shampoo has
the foam volume for 5 minutes demonstrating that the foam has good stability.[16]

4.2.7 Wetting time test

A surfactant’s wetting capacity is used to treat its efficacy that depends on its concentration.
The canvas disc method is quick, easy, and reliable to assess the shampoo’s wetting power.
The wetting time of the formulated shampoo is found to be 208 ± 4 sec. It can be concluded
that the formulated shampoo has the longest wetting time, as it contains the least amount of
detergents.

Table 2: Test results of herbal shampoo.

Parameters Result
Colour Black
Odour Aromatic
State Semi- liquid
Consistency Viscous
pH 6.95 ± 0.15
Solid content 23.42%
Dirt dispersion None
Surface tension 33.79 ± 2.13
Wetting time 208 ± 4

5. CONCLUSION
The present study successfully demonstrated the formulation of an herbal shampoo using
Cassia fistula and Aloe vera extracts, emphasizing its potential as a natural, safe, and
effective alternative to synthetic shampoos. The shampoo exhibited desirable
physicochemical properties, including optimal pH, suitable viscosity, excellent foam stability,
and effective cleansing performance. The reduced surface tension and appropriate solid

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Chetia et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

content contributed to its enhanced cleansing action, while the absence of dirt retention in
foam highlighted its good formulation quality. Moreover, the longer wetting time indicates
the presence of mild surfactants, making it suitable for sensitive scalps. These findings
suggest that the developed herbal shampoo can be a valuable contribution to the growing
market of herbal personal care products, promoting eco-friendly and health-conscious
alternatives for hair care.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to thank School of Pharmacy, Arunachal University of studies for
providing necessary research facilities.

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