Preclinical and Clinical Studies Demonstrate That the Proprietary Herbal Extract DA-5512 Effectively Stimulates Hair Growth and Promotes Hair Health

Can Plant Extracts Help Prevent Hair Loss or Promote Hair Growth? A Review Comparing Their Therapeutic Efficacies, Phytochemical Components, and Modulatory Targets

This narrative review aims to examine the therapeutic potential and mechanism of action of plant extracts in preventing and treating alopecia (baldness). We searched and selected research papers on plant extracts related to hair loss, hair growth, or hair regrowth, and comprehensively compared the therapeutic efficacies, phytochemical components, and modulatory targets of plant extracts. These studies showed that various plant extracts increased the survival and proliferation of dermal papilla cells in vitro, enhanced cell proliferation and hair growth in hair follicles ex vivo, and promoted hair growth or regrowth in animal models in vivo. The hair growth-promoting efficacy of several plant extracts was verified in clinical trials. Some phenolic compounds, terpenes and terpenoids, sulfur-containing compounds, and fatty acids were identified as active compounds contained in plant extracts. The pharmacological effects of plant extracts and their active compounds were associated with the promotion of cell survival, cell proliferation, or cell cycle progression, and the upregulation of several growth factors, such as IGF-1, VEGF, HGF, and KGF (FGF-7), leading to the induction and extension of the anagen phase in the hair cycle. Those effects were also associated with the alleviation of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, cellular senescence, or apoptosis, and the downregulation of male hormones and their receptors, preventing the entry into the telogen phase in the hair cycle. Several active plant extracts and phytochemicals stimulated the signaling pathways mediated by protein kinase B (PKB, also called AKT), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), Wingless and Int-1 (WNT), or sonic hedgehog (SHH), while suppressing other cell signaling pathways mediated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β or bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). Thus, well-selected plant extracts and their active compounds can have beneficial effects on hair health. It is proposed that the discovery of phytochemicals targeting the aforementioned cellular events and cell signaling pathways will facilitate the development of new targeted therapies for alopecia.

The effect of an oral product containing Amla fruit (Phyllanthus emblica L.) on female androgenetic alopecia: A randomized controlled trial

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Amla (Phyllanthus emblica) fruit has been emphasized as a hair tonic in Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) and recommended for hair loss orally and topically.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the effect of an oral product containing Amla fruit on Female Androgenetic Alopecia (FAGA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was a triple-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Sixty women with FAGA were randomly assigned into two groups of thirty. The intervention group received ten cc Amla syrup thrice a day for 12 weeks. The second group received a placebo with the same dose and duration. Hair growth parameters were analyzed using TrichoScan before and after 12 weeks of intervention. Physician and patient satisfaction were assessed using the CGI-I and PGI-I questionnaires, respectively.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven participants in the intervention group and 25 in the placebo group completed the trial. Based on our findings, the anagen-to-telogen ratio increased significantly in the intervention group compared with the group who received placebo (F = 10.4, P = 0.002). Physician and patient satisfaction increased in the amla group compared with placebo at 12th weeks of intervention (P<0.001), (P<0.001). The formula had no remarkable side effects. Only one case of mild constipation was reported in one of the participants after one month of consuming Amla syrup.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study demonstrated that Amla syrup could help treat androgenic hair loss in women and increase the anagen phase. Further studies are needed to evaluate this potential treatment for FAGA.

A Comprehensive Review of Natural Alternatives for Treatment of Alopecia with an Overview of Market Products

Alopecia or hair loss is a widespread issue that has significant effects on personal well-being for both genders nationally and internationally. In addition, alopecia causes extreme emotional stress and negatively impacts the psychological health and self-esteem of cancer patients suffering from chemotherapy-induced alopecia. Unfortunately, available synthetic medications are costly, invasive, or have extreme adverse effects. On the contrary, natural and herbal hair loss products are widely available in the local and international markets in variable pharmaceutical forms with different mechanisms of action, namely, androgen antagonists, nutritional supplements, vasodilators, and 5α-reductase inhibitors or dihydrotestosterone blockers. Thus, it is of great importance to encourage researchers to investigate these natural alternatives that can act as potent therapeutic agents having diverse mechanisms of action as well as limited side effects. Currently, natural remedies are considered a fast-rising pharmaceutical segment with demand from a wide range of consumers. In this study, we present a review of reported herbal remedies and herb combinations recommended for hair loss and their mode of action, along with an overview of available market products and formulations, their composition, and declared effects. In addition, a general outline of the different forms of alopecia, its causes, and recommended treatments are mentioned as well. This was all done with the aim of assisting further studies with developing standardized natural formulations for alopecia as many were found to lack standardization of their bioactive ingredients and efficiency confirmation.

Assessment of the effects of a hair lotion in women with acute telogen effluvium: a randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Telogen effluvium is a hair loss disorder occurring about 3 months after a triggering event. The acute form impairs quality of life, but spontaneous recovery usually begins 3-6 months after identification and elimination of the cause, with complete recovery taking around 12 months.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effectiveness and safety of a hair lotion containing creatine, acetyl tetrapeptide-2 and B vitamins for reducing hair loss in acute telogen effluvium.

METHODS

In this open, randomized, controlled study (NCT04652232), women with acute telogen effluvium from two clinical centres were randomly allocated to receive either the lotion and a mild shampoo (intervention group), or the mild shampoo alone (controls). Hair growth parameters and hair loss were measured from phototrichograms at weeks (W) 1, 4, 8 and 16, and through investigator assessments of standardized photographs at W1 and W16. The primary criterion was the change in anagen to telogen (A/T) ratio between W1 and W16.

RESULTS

One hundred women (aged 19-50 years) were included (intervention group, N = 51; controls, N = 49). Compared to baseline, the A/T ratio was higher at W16 in both groups and was significantly higher at both W4 and W8 in the intervention group, compared to only at W8 in controls. Significant decreases in telogen hair density were seen at all time points in the intervention group, compared to only at W16 in controls, and the between-group difference was significant at W8 (P = 0.0465). A larger reduction in the total number of hairs shed was observed at W8 in the intervention group (P = 0.0392). Investigator-assessed scores showed improvements in hair density for the intervention group. Global tolerance of the lotion was excellent.

CONCLUSIONS

The lotion tested had a significant impact on hair loss in women with acute telogen effluvium and appeared to accelerate recovery from this condition.

Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of a Hair Serum Product in Healthy Adult Male and Female Volunteers with Hair Fall

Background

Hair fall is a widespread problem among all genders, ages, and ethnicity with both physical and psychological effects.

Objective

This clinical study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a hair serum formulation containing amla extract, freeze-dried coconut water, and the micronutrient selenium along with sandalwood odorant and peanut shell extract in healthy male and female volunteers with hair fall.

Methods

A total of 42 subjects were enrolled and completed the study and they used the test product daily for 90 days. TrichoScan^® was used to evaluate the efficacy of the test product for improving hair growth rate, hair density, anagen hair, telogen hair, and the density of vellus and terminal hair. Hair thinning and hair fall reduction were compared to its basline by both dermatologists and subject self-assessment questionnaires.

Result and Discussion

After 90 days of test product application, there was a significant improvement in hair growth rate (<0.0001), hair density (<0.0001), vellus hair density (<0.0001), and terminal hair density (<0.0001) in comparison to baseline. There was a significant reduction in hair fall with bulb (<0.0001) and without bulb (<0.0001), and hair thinning (<0.0001) compared to the baseline measurement. Adverse events were not recorded during the study. No skin intolerance was reported during the study, and the test product was considered dermatologically safe to use.

Effect of Phyllanthus emblica Linn. on Tensile Strength of Virgin and Bleached Hairs

In Ayurveda medicine, Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (emblica) has been used as a hair nourisher for more than a decade by soaking it overnight, but no study has proved the effect of emblica on hair. This research aims to determine the effect of emblica solution on the tensile strength of three types of hair: virgin hair (VH), bleached hair (BH), and twice bleached hair (TH). The investigated active substances were deionized water (DI water) as a control, 3% emblica extract solution (3% EXS), 6% emblica extract solution (6% EXS), and 9% emblica extract solution (9% EXS). Black Virgin Asian hair was measured and analyzed before bleaching with a 12% bleaching agent once (BH) and twice (TH). Three treatments and the control were applied to each type of hair under a controlled condition. The tensile characteristics and surface morphology of all treated hairs were measured and analyzed by texture analysis (TA.XT Plus Texture Analyzer, Stable Micro Systems), Aramo (Aramo-SG Skin & Hair analysis system), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM model JSM-5410LV JEOL). The results of the nanoindentation test proved that the tensile strength and extensibility of all three types of hair increased in all concentrations (DI water, 3% EXS, 6% EXS, and 9% EXS). High magnification SEM images were taken from the cuticle surfaces and cross-sections. Emblica extracted solution (EXS) formed a coating around the hair, especially cuticle damaged by bleaching (BH and TH). The breaking pattern from the cross-section images showed that emblica extract solution reinforced all hair types. In conclusion, the emblica extract solution has a significant positive effect on the tensile strength and extensibility of VH, BH, and TH. The result has proved the ancient intelligence that the emblica nourishes the hair. In addition, our results show additional benefit by strengthening virgin hair and bleached hair.

Preparation & Assessment of Poly-Herbal Anti-Dandruff Formulation

Background:

Dandruff is a major problem of hair, which cannot be fully cured with the aid of chemicals. An attempt has been made to prepare a poly-herbal anti-dandruff hair care formulation and it is standardized to ensure its stability and quality aspects.

Objective:

The present work is oriented at the synthesis of herbal anti-dandruff hair formulation and the estimation of its various aspects for its valuability.

Materials and Methods:

The herbal preparation was prepared in the laboratory, on the basis of decided proportion, with the help of all the herbal contents. The pack was gauged for its various parameters.

Results:

The results were concluded to be sufficiently ample for the assessment of herbal formulation. The findings of different aspects vindicated the worth of the formulation.

Conclusion:

Herbal hair formulation has been formulated and assessed using the various aspects. It serves as a good alternate, devoid of any side effects. The results can be unified while evolving the pharmacopoeial standards.

Review of Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla cells as in vitro screening model for hair growth

Hair disorders such as hair loss (alopecia) and androgen dependent, excessive hair growth (hirsutism, hypertrichosis) may impact the social and psychological well-being of an individual. Recent advances in understanding the biology of hair have accelerated the research and development of novel therapeutic and cosmetic hair growth agents. Preclinical models aid in dermocosmetic efficacy testing and claim substantiation of hair growth modulators. The in vitro models to investigate hair growth utilize the hair follicle Dermal Papilla cells (DPCs), specialized mesenchymal cells located at the base of hair follicle that play essential roles in hair follicular morphogenesis and postnatal hair growth cycles. In this review, we have compiled and discussed the extensively reported literature citing DPCs as in vitro model to study hair growth promoting and inhibitory effects. A variety of agents such as herbal and natural extracts, growth factors and cytokines, platelet-rich plasma, placental extract, stem cells and conditioned medium, peptides, hormones, lipid-nanocarrier, light, electrical and electromagnetic field stimulation, androgens and their analogs, stress-serum and chemotherapeutic agents etc. have been examined for their hair growth modulating effects in DPCs. Effects on DPCs' activity were determined from untreated (basal) or stress induced levels. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and secretion of growth factors were included as primary end-point markers. Effects on a wide range of biomolecules and mechanistic pathways that play key role in the biology of hair growth were also investigated. This consolidated and comprehensive review summarizes the up-to-date information and understanding regarding DPCs based screening models for hair growth and may be helpful for researchers to select the appropriate assay system and biomarkers. This review highlights the pivotal role of DPCs in the forefront of hair research as screening platforms by providing insights into mechanistic action at cellular level, which may further direct the development of novel hair growth modulators.