Formulation and evaluation of herbal shampoo containing olive leaves extract

The study aimed at formulating a herbal shampoo containing olive leaves extract and evaluating its physiochemical properties. Olive leaves extract in shampoo is commercially available in Palestine, but because the R&D departments do not get sufficient attention neither in the private nor in the public sector, most of those products are a reproduction of what has been produced in developed countries. Moreover, there are still few data available on their stability in literature. The herbal shampoo was formulated by incorporating the ethanolic extract of olive leaves standardized for Oleuropein, which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hair protectant properties. Several tests such as visual inspection, pH, percentage of the active ingredient and foam ability were conducted. Stability studies were also performed to determine the physiochemical properties of the formulated herbal shampoo. Three formulas (F1, F2 and F3) containing the same concentration of olive leave extract (1.0% w/w) were prepared. All ingredients used to formulate the shampoo were found to be safe and the physiochemical evaluation showed ideal results. Stability studies showed a stable homogenous appearance during six months of storage at different temperatures (4-8 oC, 40 oC and at ambient temperature). However, formula 3 gave optimum stability, especially the stability of olive leaves extract.