Efficacy of Carabao Grass (Paspalum Conjugatum) Extract on the Growth of Dandruff (Malassezia) In Vitro

Abstract

Dandruff affects the skin and causes psychosocial embarrassment, itching, lack of concentration, and poor sleep, and can lead to hair loss and inflammation if left untreated. The psychosocial embarrassment caused by dandruff affects nearly half of the population, perpetuating a negative self-image and depriving people of the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest. Aside from existing medicinal plants, other plants with a potential antifungal activity are more abundant and easier to process. Thus, this study aimed to determine a sustainable and accessible treatment for Malassezia. This study was conducted to test the significant difference between the two treatments (Carabao grass and Aloe vera), the carabao grass concentrations (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%), and the carabao grass inhibition days (Day 1 and Day 3). Four different concentrations of carabao grass extract, along with the control group, aloe vera extract, were used in the test. The fungi that were used in the experimentation were obtained directly from a human source infected with Malassezia. A true experimental research design with the post-test only control group design was utilized. Random sampling was used to distribute the Malassezia culture to the different treatments. Subsequently, data were collated, tabulated, statistically analyzed, and interpreted using the three-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for Completely Randomized Design (CRD).

The study's findings revealed that the carabao grass extract is as effective as the aloe vera extract. Moreover, the 25% concentration of the carabao grass extract is as effective as its other concentrations, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Finally, the antifungal efficacy of carabao grass extract and aloe vera extract increases with time, and it takes three days before the fungi become resistant to the treatments. Based on the study's findings, carabao grass extract is suggested to be used as an alternative ingredient for aloe vera or other antifungal medicinal plants. When creating a carabao grass treatment, a 25% concentration of carabao grass extract can be used as an ideal concentration. Furthermore, because the carabao grass extract has the greatest effect on day three and is already ineffective on day 5, it is recommended to use it only for three days. In addition, more research is recommended to improve carabao grass as a shampoo variety; more methodological work is required to determine whether the extracted extract is an essential oil, water, or something else; and it would be beneficial to compare the antifungal efficacy of carabao grass in vitro and in vivo.