The purpose of this study was the preparation of henna extract in a suitable pharmaceutical formulation to be applied topically.
Based on microbiological studies, Hadramout -See'on (dry powder) was selected from number of henna samples collected from different places in Yemen. Hadramout-See'on (dry powder) was extracted using different solvents namely: water, methanol and chloroform separately. The inhibitory activities of various extracts of henna against two species of dermatophytic fungi (Trichophyton violaceum and Microsporum canis), one species of yeast (Candida albicans), one Gram- positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella) were tested.
Water extract showed the highest percentage inhibition zone particularly with the tested fungi, followed by methanol extract. while chloroform extract showed weak activity with all strains.
The best active extract of henna was formulated in traditional formulations such as ointments bases (water-soluble base oleaginous base ) and emulsion bases (o/w, w/o emulsion bases), and the m Vitro release studies of active component in henna from different formulations were recorded in the following descending order:
Polyethylene glycol base > oil/water (o/w) emulsion base> water/oil (w/o) emulsion base > oleaginous bees