Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Henna is most commonly used for coloring the hair from more than 5000 years. It contains Lawsone which interacts with keratin present in skin and hair by Michael addition which results into permanent stain. Chemically Lawsone is 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone found in the leaves of the henna plant as well as in the flower of water hyacinth. But the Lawsone isolation from Lawsonia inermis can be difficult due to its easily biodegradable nature. Hence isolation of Lawsone is done by using Column chromatography. The isolated extract was also tested for antimicrobial activity keeping Vancomycin as a standard. It has shown prominent Antimicrobial activity.