Efficacy of Abelmoschus esculentus used as Alternative Hair Condition

A Research Proposal

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement in

Science Investigatory Project I ( SIP I )

Tubiano, Shannel Khae Robles

Researcher

Ms. Alphine Klim S. Jurilla

Research Adviser

March 2020

Chapter 1
 Introduction

Background of the Study

Over the years, hair conditioner is long time used all over the world. People use

hair conditioner to prevent static electricity, improve the cosmetic shine, increase

protection and to ensure that the hair is smooth for combing. Commercial conditioners

have additional components to control dandruff and to treat hair. However, conditioners

can also be damaging to hair, partly due to the chemicals that compose it. For centuries,

natural oils have been used to condition human hair. The researcher thought of

Abelmoschus esculentus as an alternative hair condition.

Okra is an economically important vegetable crop grown in tropical and sub-

tropical parts of the world. Okra is a multipurpose crop due to its various uses of the

fresh leaves, buds, flowers, pods, stems and seeds (Benchasr, S. Okra). Okra immature

fruits, which are consumed as vegetables, can be used in salads, soups and stews, fresh

or dried, fried or boiled (Akintoye et al. 2011). It offers mucilaginous consistency after

cooking. Often the extract obtained from the fruit is added to different recipes like stews

and sauces to increase the consistency.

Okra mucilage has medicinal applications when used as a plasma replacement or

blood volume expander (Savello et al. 1980, Markose & Peter 1990, Lengsfeld et al.

2004, Adetuyi et al. 2008, Kumar et al. 2010). The mucilage of okra binds cholesterol

and bile acid carrying toxins dumped into it by the liver. Okra seeds are a potential

source of oil, with concentrations varying from 20% to 40%, which consists of linoleic acid

up to 47.4%. Okra seed oil is also a rich source of linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty
acid essential for human nutrition (Jarret, R.L.; Wang, M.L.; Levy, I.J). Okra has been

called “a perfect villager’s vegetable” because of its robust nature, dietary fiber, and

distinct seed protein balance of both lysine and tryptophan amino acids. Okra is also

abundant with several carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins, which plays a vital role in

human diet and health (Lamont 1999, Owolarafe & Shotonde 2004, Gopalan et al.

2007, Arapitsas 2008, Dilruba et al. 2009). Okra is rich in phenolic compounds with

important biological properties like quartering and flavonol derivatives, catechin

oligomers and hydroxycinnamic derivatives. Okra is also known for being high in
antioxidants activity. Okra has several potential health beneficial effects on some of the

important human diseases like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, digestive

diseases and some cancers (Dubey & Mishra). Overall, Okra is an important

vegetable crop with a diverse array of nutritional quality and potential health benefits.

Statement of the Problem

General Objective

This study will aim to determine the effectiveness of Abelmoschus esculentus as

alternative hair condition.

Specific Objectives

• To determine the effectiveness of Abelmoschus esculentus as alternative hair

condition.
 • To create a natural hair condition out of Abelmoschus esculentus mucilage

extract.

Statement of the Hypothesis

• The Abelmoschus esculentus cannot be made into a alternative hair condition.

• There will be an effect of Abelmoschus esculentus on human hair.

Significance of the Study

This study will help us prevent negative effects of conditioners due to the

chemicals that compose it. It will provide an initial data on the potential of okra mucilage

extract as a natural conditioner which can later be developed as a commercial hair

condition. The

result of this study could create awareness to the public that okra can be used as an

alternative hair condition.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study will be limited only on determining the effectiveness of Abelmoschus

esculentus on human hair. It will be conducted on (January- March) 2020 at SPED-

ISEC, Gen. Luna Street, Iloilo City.

Bibliography

Akintoye et al. (2011) Okra immature fruits, which are consumed as vegetables, can be

used in salads, soups and stews, fresh or dried, fried or boiled.

Benchasr, S. Okra (Abelmoschusesculentus (L.) Moench) as a valuable vegetable of

the World. Ratar. Povrt. 2012, 49, 105–112

Dubey, P.; Mishra, S. A review on: Diabetes and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). J.

Med. Plants Stud. 2017, 5, 23–26

Jarret, R.L.; Wang, M.L.; Levy, I.J. Seed oil and fatty acid content in okra (Abelmoschus

esculentus) and related species. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2011, 59, 4019–4024.

Lamont 1999, Owolarafe & Shotonde 2004, Gopalan et al. 2007, Arapitsas 2008,

Dilruba et al. (2009) Okra is also abundant with several carbohydrates, minerals and

vitamins, which plays a vital role in human diet and health.

Savello et al. 1980, Markose & Peter 1990, Lengsfeld et al. 2004, Adetuyi et al. 2008,
Kumar et al. (2010) Okra mucilage has medicinal applications when used as a plasma

replacement or blood volume expander.

Chapter 2

Review of Related Literature

According to Dany, Mohanty, Tangade, Rajput & Batra (2015), Lemongrass

belongs to the section of Andropogan called Cymbopogan of the family Germineae. The

two of the major species are Cymbopogan citrates and C. Flexuosus . It has plethora of

medicinal uses; antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiseptic, astringent, anti-

inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and carminative property , and its antibacterial and

antifungal properties are comparable to that of penicillin in its effectiveness.

Chlorhexidine mouthwash has earned eponym of gold standard to treat and/or prevent

periodontal diseases.

The present study was carried out to explore an alternative herbal mouthwash.

Essential oils are ideal for use in oral care products because they are both antibacterial

and nontoxic–a rare combination. Mouth washes containing essential oils are used for

many years in the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease. Recent studies have

demonstrated that essential oil mouth washes are as effective as chlorhexidine

mouthwash in inhibiting the plaque regrowth by infiltrating the plaque biofilm, disrupting

the cell wall of the pathogenic micro-organisms and ultimately killing them and constrain
their enzymatic activity. Essential oil mouth wash prevent bacterial aggregation, slows

their multiplication and extract the bacterial endotoxins.

Based on the study of Rajesvari & Lakshmi (2013), Lemon grass essential oil has

been used for decades to treat respiratory infections, sinusitis, bladder infections, high

cholesterol, digestive problem, varicose veins and also for regeneration of connective

tissue. It is composed of an anti spasmodic, anti-pyretic, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-

inflammatory, anti-septic, insect repellent, sedative, vasodilator and flavoring properties.

In china, it has been used traditionally as a remedy for stomach and liver diseases and

also to treat rheumatism. Since lemon grass oil possess various pharmacological

actions, it is also quite useful in dentistry. Hence, the objective of this article is to

highlight various uses of lemon grass oil in the dental field and in the medical field in

order to aid the professionals for future research.

Essential oil is a concentrated volatile liquid containing hydrophobic components.

They are used medicinally to treat various diseases such as fungal infections bacterial

infections etc. They are used as mouth washes to treat plaque gingivitis to maintain

inter dental hygiene pre-procedural rinsing for controlling infection and for maintaining

the implant.

The demand for lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is for its high citral content.

Early or delayed harvesting of lemongrass affected essential oil and citral content. The

objective of the study was to determine the effects of three maturity stages at harvest of
lemongrass on essential oil, chemical composition and citral contents. The lemongrass

plant was planted using a randomized complete block design with four replications, at

the University Agriculture Park, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Lemongrass is an aromatic

plant belonging to the Gramineae family (Akhila, 2010). It is a tall, clumped perennial

grass growing to a height of 1 m. The leaf-blade is linear, tapered at both ends and can

grow to a length of 50 cm and width of 1.5 cm (Sugumaran et al., 2005). The leafsheath

is tubular in shape and acts as a pseudostem. This plant produces flowers at matured

stages of growth (Jaganath et al., 2000). Conversely, flowering has never been
observed under cultivation due to rapid harvesting time. The rhizome produces new

suckers that extend vertically as tillers to form dense clumps. Lemongrass can tolerate

a wide range of soils and climatic conditions. However, vigorous growth is obtained on

well-drained sandy loam soil with high fertility and exposed to sunlight (Sugumaran et

al., 2005).

Bibliography
Akhila A (2010). Essential Oil-bearing Grasses: The genus Cymbopogon. Medical and
aromatic plants-industrial profile. Taylor and Francis Group, L.L.C.
Dany, S., Mohanty, P. , Tangade, P., Rajput, P., & Batra, M., (2015). Efficacy of 0.25%
Lemongrass Oil Mouthwash: A Three Arm Prospective Parallel Clinical Study.
Published 2015 Oct 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4625327/

Jaganath IB, Ng LT (2000). Herbs: The garden pharmacy of Malaysia. Malaysia:

MARDI.

Kumar, S. & Gurunathan, D. (2019). Lemongrass in dental health. Retrieved last

October
15, 2018. http://jprsolutions.info/files/final-file-5c908c4aed3158.87803381.pdf

Nall, R. (2018). What are the health benefits of lemongrass tea? 24 October 2018 from
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321969.php

Rajesvari, R. & Lakshmi, T. (2013). Lemon grass oil for improvement of oral health.
Volume : 4, Issue : 4, Page : 115-117.
http://www.dentalhypotheses.com/article.asp?issn=2155-
8213;year=2013;volume=4;issue=4;spage=115;epage=117;aulast=Rajesvari

Sugumaran M, Joseph S, Lee KLW, Wong KW (2005). Herbs of Malaysia. Shah Alam:
Federal Publication.

Tajidin, N. , Ahmad, S. , Rosenani, A. , Azimah, H. & Munirah, M. (2012). Chemical

composition and citral content in lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) essential oil
at three maturity stages. Published in February 7, 2012. African Journal of
Biotechnology Vol. 11(11), ISSN 1684–5315, pp. 2685-2693.
https://academicjournals.org/article/article1380815053_Tajidin%20et%20al.pdf

Methodology

Flow Chart