Abstract
Background: Pattern hair loss and diffuse telogen effluvium affect a sizeable proportion of Indian adults, and conventional minoxidil and finasteride therapy is limited by scalp irritation, rebound shedding and dose-related sexual adverse effects. Polyherbal oral formulations acting at multiple points of the follicular pathway represent a rational alternative. Objective: To formulate and evaluate an oral tablet combining hydroalcoholic extracts of Amla (Emblica officinalis), Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) and Kalonji (Nigella sativa) with vitamin E acetate and folic acid. Methods: Six wet-granulated batches (F1–F6) of 650 mg tablets were prepared on a 10-station rotary press, with croscarmellose sodium (CCS) and PVP K-30 varied at 2–6% w/w and 3–5% w/w. Pre-compression flow, post-compression attributes, in vitro dissolution in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer and 3-month accelerated stability were studied. Drug release was quantified at 271 nm as gallic acid equivalents and drug–excipient compatibility by FTIR. Results: All batches showed acceptable flow (Carr's index 11.86–17.31%, Hausner's ratio 1.13–1.21). Hardness ranged 4.5–6.8 kg/cm² and friability 0.31–0.78%. The optimised batch F4 (5% CCS, 4% PVP) showed hardness 5.8 ± 0.3 kg/cm², friability 0.42 ± 0.05%, disintegration 6.8 ± 0.4 min, drug content 99.1 ± 0.7%, and 92.4 ± 1.8% release at 60 min. F4 was stable at 40 ± 2 °C / 75 ± 5% RH over 3 months. Conclusion: A polyherbal tablet combining three traditional hair-growth botanicals with vitamin E and folic acid was successfully developed at laboratory scale; F4 may be progressed to in vivo evaluation.