Investigation of topical application of procyanidin B-2 from apple to identify its potential use as a hair growing agent.
Procyanidin B-2 is a polyphenol compound we have identified in apple which acts as a hair-growing factor in the murine model both in vitro and in vivo. This report describes our investigation of the effects of 1% procyanidin B-2 tonic on human hair growth after sequential use for 6 months. A double-blind clinical test involving a total of 29 subjects was performed. Nineteen men in the procyanidin B-2 group and 10 men in the placebo control group were subjected to analyses. No adverse side effects were observed in either group. The hair-growing effect was evaluated using a macrophotography technique combined with measurements of the hair diameter of clipped hairs. The increase in number of total hairs in the designated scalp area (0.5 cm square = 0.25 cm2 area) of procyanidin B-2 group subjects after the 6-month trial was significantly greater than that of the placebo control group subjects (procyanidin B-2, 6.68 +/- 5.53 (mean +/- SD)/0.25 cm2; placebo, 0.08 +/- 4.56 (mean +/- SD)/0.25 cm2; P < 0.005, two-sample t test). The increase in number of terminal hairs, which are defined as hairs more than 60 microm in diameter, in the designated area (0.5 cm square = 0.25 cm2 area) of the procyanidin B-2 group subjects after the 6-month trial was significantly greater than that of the placebo control group subjects (procyanidin B-2, 1.99 +/- 2.58 (mean +/- SD)/0.25 cm2; placebo, -0.82 +/- 3.40 (mean +/- SD)/0.25 cm2; P < 0.02, two-sample t test). Procyanidin B-2 therapy shows potential as a safe and promising cure for male pattern baldness.
Kamimura
A
A
Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ibaraki, Japan. ayako.kamimura@kyowa.co.jp
Takahashi
T
T
Watanabe
Y
Y
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044946:Biflavonoids; D002392:Catechin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005638:Fruit; D006197:Hair / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; D012535:Scalp; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000975:Antioxidants; D044946:Biflavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; C479578:procyanidin B; C017674:procyanidin; D002392:Catechin