• Dr. N. Saraswathy
• Sunanditaa K
• Aswitha V

Abstract Dandruff is a chronic, relapsing scalp disorder driven predominantly by non-albicans Candida species, particularly Candida tropicalis. It is capable of forming robust biofilm by secreting hydrolytic virulence enzymes. Recent studies show that these organisms are becoming resistant to antifungal agents. Commercial anti-dandruff formulations containing zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, and salicylic acid are being used to control dandruff and is associated with cytotoxicity and altered hair texture, with diminishing efficacy due to resistance. Hence there is a need for alternative natural formulations that can effectively control dandruff. This study is aimed to formulate, characterize and evaluate invitro antifungal efficacy of Aloe-henna gel incorporated with lawsone (2-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone) and to validate the pharmacological basis of lawsone activity through in-silico molecular docking against the virulence-associated scalp proteins. In this study, C. tropicalis was identified as the dominant isolate from dandruff samples. The Aloe-henna gel (50 mg/g) showed a zone of inhibition of 16.33 ± 1.52 mm against C. tropicalis, which is on a par with Nystatin (17.33 ± 1.52 mm). It showed sustained inhibition persisting till Day 3, where commercial shampoos showed complete re-growth. Drug release followed Fickian diffusion kinetics. Lawsone satisfied standard drug-likeness criteria and demonstrated stable binding to HSA, cutinase, and xylanase, with negative binding affinities indicating spontaneous and thermodynamically favourable interactions. In-silico analyses substantiates the antifungal and pharmacological potential of lawsone, identifying mechanistic interactions with virulence-associated proteins. The all-natural composition of the formulation presents a safer, biocompatible alternative to synthetic anti-dandruff agents.

Key words: Aloe-henna gel; antifungal activity; biofilm; Candida tropicalis; dandruff; lawsone; Lawsonia inermis L.; molecular docking; scalp mycobiome

"EVALUATION OF ANTI-DANDRUFF POTENTIAL OF LAWSONE INFUSED IN ALOE–HENNA GEL AGAINST Candida tropicalis: TARGETING SCALP VIRULENCE-ASSOCIATED PROTEINS", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 9, page no.c675-c685, September-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2609274.pdf

"EVALUATION OF ANTI-DANDRUFF POTENTIAL OF LAWSONE INFUSED IN ALOE–HENNA GEL AGAINST Candida tropicalis: TARGETING SCALP VIRULENCE-ASSOCIATED PROTEINS", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 9, page no. ppc675-c685, September-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2609274.pdf