Evaluation of Hair Growth Activity of Buxus wallichiana Baill Extract in Rats

Abstract

Objective(s) The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant and hair growth activities of <em>Buxus wallichiana</em> Baill (Buxaceae). Materials and methods Petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts of<em> Buxus wallichiana</em> subjected to antioxidant activity by; 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl and nitric oxide methods. Methanol extract of <em>Buxus wallichiana</em> at 50, 100 mg/kg, ointment of methanol extract at 5 and 10% used for the evaluation of hair growth property. Results Methanol extract showed potential antioxidant activity. Methanol extract at 100 mg/kg showed consistent and significant increase in mean score of hair growth from day 3 to day 24. Whereas 50 mg/kg increased the mean score significantly, only from day 15 to day 24. When methanol extract at 10% applied topically, significant increase in mean hair score observed only from day 15, but at 5% showed considerable increase in mean hair score only from day 21 and 24, when compared to the control. Conclusion The result of this study suggests that Methanol extract of <em>Buxus wallichiana</em> possess good antioxidant and hair growth activity.