Eco-friendly fabrication and characterization of polyherbal silver nanoparticle-loaded shampoo with enhanced antibacterial efficacy for the topical management of scalp and hair folliculitis

Folliculitis is a common dermatological disorder characterized by inflammation and bacterial infection of hair follicles, most frequently caused by Staphylococcus aureus . The present study aimed to develop a polyherbal silver nanoparticle (PH-AgNPs)–loaded shampoo using a green synthesis approach to exploit phytochemical synergy for enhanced antibacterial efficacy in the management of scalp folliculitis. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by reducing silver nitrate (AgNO₃) with an aqueous polyherbal extract containing Acacia concinna , Camellia oleifera , Emblica officinalis , and Sapindus mukorossi , which simultaneously acted as reducing and stabilizing agents. The synthesized PH-AgNPs were characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential analysis, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The nanoparticles exhibited a mean particle size of 87 ± 2 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.218 ± 0.07, and a zeta potential of −33.2 ± 2.1 mV, indicating good colloidal stability. Antibacterial evaluation demonstrated potent activity against S. aureus , with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.8 ± 0.06 µg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 3.12 ± 0.5 µg/mL. Furthermore, PH-AgNPs significantly inhibited bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner, achieving complete biofilm inhibition at MBC within 48 h. Incorporation of PH-AgNPs into a shampoo base provides a green, polyherbal-synergistic topical nanotherapeutic system with promising potential for the treatment of bacterial folliculitis, warranting further in vivo and clinical investigations to confirm therapeutic safety and efficacy. • Polyherbal silver nanoparticles (PH-AgNPs) were synthesized using a green approach from Acacia concinna , Camellia oleifera , Emblica officinalis , and Sapindus mukorossi . • The synthesized PH-AgNPs showed nanoscale size (87 ± 2 nm) and high stability (zeta potential −33.2 ± 2.1 mV). • PH-AgNPs exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC = 0.8 μg/mL and MBC = 3.12 μg/mL. • The PH-AgNPs effectively inhibited bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, demonstrating potential for treating scalp folliculitis.