title: Kaajal fights against eye pathogens and is safe for eye make-up: a reinvestigation of an ancient practice.
abstract: The present report includes a scientific view of the traditional use of 'Kaajal' from the leaf of Euphorbia neriifolia, an Indian spurge tree locally called the 'Monosha' plant. A thorough analysis of the material demonstrates that it contains carbon nanoparticles having two uniform sizes of 2-3 nm and 35-45 nm. Further study revealed that Kaajal has antimicrobial properties against eye pathogens and is biocompatible for cosmetic use.
authors.affiliation: Central Research Facility, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India. mandalsm@gmail.com
authors.forename: Santi M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mandal
authors.forename: Suman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.forename: Jayangshu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sengupta
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pratihar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D003358:Cosmetics; D028481:Euphorbia / Q000737:chemistry*; D005123:Eye / Q000382:microbiology*; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D011817:Rabbits; D012449:Safety
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D003358:Cosmetics; D010936:Plant Extracts