Development and research of ointment with essential oil of thyme for the treatment of the scalp and hair parts of the head

Dermatological diseases are the most widespread in the whole world. According to WHO, 20–30% of the world's population suffers from fungal skin diseases and 25–35% from pustular diseases. Pustular diseases (pyoderma) are the result of pathogenic staphylococci and streptococci, and fungal diseases (dermatomycoses) are caused by various types of fungi. Today, these diseases are treated with various types of drugs, but the active ingredient in almost all of them is synthetic compounds (antibiotics, sulfonamides, imidazole derivatives, etc.). Medicines of natural origin are scarce. In order to increase the number of phytoremedies for external use (ointments), which have medicinal plant active components, a study was conducted using standardized essential oil of common thyme. The aim of the work was to study the effect of excipients on the ointment base by the method of mathematical planning of the experiment for the development of the optimal composition of the dermatological ointment with the essential oil of common thyme. Excipiennts for ointment bases of hydrophobic and emulsion composition were used to develop the optimal composition of the ointment. The concentration of thyme essential oil was 5% in all samples. The degree of thymol release in an in vitro study using the equilibrium dialysis method was chosen as the criterion for choosing the optimal composition. Excipiennts allowed in pharmacy, with known characteristics, safety profile, and application experience were used as auxiliary substances. Using Duncan's multiple criterion, a number of advantages were created: а7 > а8 > а9 > а10 > а6 >а2 > а5 > а3 > а1 > а4. On the basis of the conducted studies, the optimal composition of the ointment was chosen for the treatment of lesions of the scalp and hair. The studied organoleptic and technological properties and quality indicators (homogeneity, colloidal stability, thermal stability, microbiological purity) of ointment with thyme essential oil during long-term storage at a temperature of +2–+8 °C established the stability of the developed composition of the ointment during two years of observation. The creation of a new local remedy for the treatment of lesions of the scalp and its hair part will allow to expand the arsenal of safe and effective remedies.