Advecia Research:

Saw Palmetto Extract- Conventional treatments for male pattern baldness generally involve blocking the conversion of the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotetosterone (DHT) using 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.

These products often have bothersome side effects and may not even be that effective depending on the severity of hair loss. Saw palmetto also functions as a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, making it useful in male pattern hair loss. In a double-blind, placebo controlled study, 60% of men treated with a liposterolic extract of Saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol were rated as improved on the final visit (1).

Phytosterol extract- This category of compounds is one of the active components in Saw palmetto. Phytosterols exhibit 5-alpha reductase inhibition, making it useful in treating male pattern baldness (2).

Beta-sitosterol- As mentioned, blocking the enzyme 5-alpha reductase is an effective approach to treating male pattern baldness. Beta-sitosterol functions in this capacity and in a double-blind, placebo controlled study, 60% of men treated with a liposterolic extract of Saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol were rated as improved on the final visit (1).

Green Tea Extract- Extracts of green tea contain polyphenols which influence hair loss. A specific component EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is a potent inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase (3). In animal studies of spontaneous hair loss, green tea extract has demonstrated the ability to produce significant hair regrowth when compared to control (4).

L-Arginine-An amino acid that plays a role in the basic biology of hair and skin growth, L-arginine may be beneficial to people with hair loss (8). Research has shown that L-arginine can protect against oxidative damage to the hair shaft from chemical coloring agents (9).

L-lysine- Nutritional factors often play a role in various patterns of hair loss. This amino acid can be useful in patients noticing increased hair shedding. A double-blind study of subjects with hair loss who were taking L-lysine and iron showed that a significant proportion of patients responded well to the treatment (5).

Grape seed extract -Components found in grape seed extract may be useful in treating hair loss. Toxicology studies in animals show that grape seed extract is a safe product, not affecting blood cells or producing adverse effects (6).

Proanthyocyanidins/Procyanidins- These naturally occurring phytochemicals can affect the process of hair growth. Procyanidin B2 can act as a growth promoting factor in animal hair cells. In a double-blind, controlled clinical trial of a 4 month procyandin B2 treatment, increased hair diameter and number of hairs were observed (7).

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References:

1. Prager N et al. J A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.Altern Complement Med 2002 Apr;8(2):143-52.
   
   
2. Sultan C et al. J Steroid Biochem 1984;20(1):515-519.
   
   
3. Hiipakka RA et al. Structure-activity relationships for inhibition of human 5alpha-reductases by polyphenols. Biochem Pharmacol 2002 Mar 15;63(6):1165-76.
   
   
4. Esfrandiara A, Kelly AP. The effects of tea polyphenolic compounds on hair loss among rodents. J Natl Med Assoc 2005 Aug;97(8):1165-9.
   
   
5. Rushton DH. Nutritional factors and hair loss. Clin Exp Dermatol 2002 Jul;27(5):396-404.
   
   
6. Wren AF et al. 90-day oral toxicity study of a grape seed extract (IH636) in rats. J Agric Food Chem 2002 Mar 27;50(7):2180-92.
   
   
7. Takahashi T et al. The first clinical trial of topical application of procyanidin B-2 to investigate its potential as a hair growing agent.
   Phytother Res 2001 Jun;15(4):331-6.
   
   
8. Sowden HM, Naseem KM, Tobin DJ. Differential expression of nitric oxide synthases in human scalp epidermal and hair follicle pigmentary units: implications for regulation of melanogenesis. Br J Dermatol 2005 Aug;153(2):301-9.
   
   
9. Oshimura E, Ino M. Effects of arginine on hair damage via oxidative coloring process. J Cosmet Sci 2004;55 Suppl:S155-70.

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