Bacterial and fungal skin infection are common in companion animals and often require antimicrobial therapy, contributing to antimicrobial resistance. This study developed shampoos containing red palm oil (RPO) and extracts of Rhinacanthus nasutus (RN), Curcuma longa (CL), Zingiber montanum (ZM), and Zingiber officinale (ZO), which provide antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Extracts were obtained using MAE and were evaluate for phytochemical composition, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), anti-inflammatory activity (COX-2 inhibition), and antimicrobial activity. RPO contained high level of vitamin E and β-carotene. Rhinacanthin, curcumin, terpinen-4-ol, and 6-gingerol were the major phytochemical constituents of RN, CL, ZM, and ZO extracts, respectively. All extracts significantly reduced COX-2 expression (p< 0.05) while RN exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀ = 15.23 ± 0.53 µg/mL). RN and ZM demonstrated the strongest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 8 µg/mL, MBC = 8–16 µg/mL). ZO exhibited the strongest antifungal activity against Malassezia pachydermatis and Microsporum gypseum (MIC = 2 µg/mL, MFC = 2 - 16 µg/mL). The developed shampoos, containing RPO and four herbs’ extracts showed suitable pH values, stable viscosity, antibacterial inhibition and antifungal inhibition (p < 0.05).

Bacterial and fungal skin infections are common in companion animals and often require antimicrobial therapy, contributing to antimicrobial resistance. This study developed shampoos containing red palm oil (RPO) and extracts of Rhinacanthus nasutus (RN), Curcuma longa (CL), Zingiber montanum (ZM), and Zingiber officinale (ZO), which provide antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Extracts were obtained using MAE and were evaluated for phytochemical composition, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), anti-inflammatory activity (COX-2 inhibition), and antimicrobial activity. RPO contained high levels of vitamin E and β-carotene. Rhinacanthin, curcumin, terpinen-4-ol, and 6-gingerol were the major phytochemical constituents of RN, CL, ZM, and ZO extracts, respectively. All extracts significantly reduced COX-2 expression (p < 0.05), while RN exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀ = 15.23 ± 0.53 µg/mL). RN and ZM demonstrated the strongest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 8 µg/mL; MBC = 8–16 µg/mL), while ZO exhibited the strongest antifungal activity against Malassezia pachydermatis and Microsporum gypseum (MIC = 2, 2 µg/mL; MFC = 2, 16 µg/mL). The developed shampoos containing RPO and the four herb extracts showed suitable pH values, stable viscosity, antibacterial inhibition, and antifungal inhibition (p < 0.05).

Healthy and asymptomatic cats may serve as reservoirs of fungal pathogens, facilitating transmission through direct contact or environmental contamination, and they may represent an underrecognized source of subclinical fungal infection in humans, particularly among cat owners and veterinarians. We evaluated the prevalence of fungal species in healthy cats and their owners, assessed potential cat–human transmission, identified feline lifestyle factors associated with Microsporum canis carriage, and evaluated antifungal susceptibility of the most prevalent isolated fungi. We collected 59 cat facial hair and 59 owner nail samples for fungal isolation and identification. Five fungal species were identified, M. canis, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. fumigatus, and A. terreus, which were found in both cats and humans. Aspergillus spp. were the most frequently detected fungi in both groups. Significant associations between cats and owners were observed for M. canis (p = 0.010) and A. niger (p = 0.050). Long-haired cats showed a significantly higher prevalence of carrying M. canis (p = 0.024), while other lifestyle factors were not associated with fungal carriage. The antifungal susceptibility profiles of the tested fungi were broadly similar between feline and human isolates; however, resistance to itraconazole and amphotericin B was detected among Aspergillus spp. Healthy cats and their owners frequently share fungal species, especially M. canis, which suggests possible household zoonotic transmission. Long-haired cats are at higher risk of M. canis carriage.