title: Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb. essential oil slows hair-growth and lightens skin in axillae; a randomised, double blinded trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Androgenic hair-growth contributes to secondary gender characteristics but can be troublesome in women. Inhibiting axillary hair-growth via 5-α-reductases using the Thai medicinal plant, Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb. is an attractive treatment strategy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  C. aeruginosa essential oil (CA-oil) formulated as a lotion is an efficacious and safe inhibitor of axillary hair growth.
  
  
  METHODS
  This trial was a single center, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled 10 weeks, intervention in 60 women (18-23 years) and 2 weeks washout with axillary hair length was the primary end-point.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bioactive-enriched essential oil of C. aeruginosa was formulated with a base lotion. All participants were pre-challenged with lotions by 4-h patch irritation tests to exclude skin reactions. Participants were randomly allocated to use either 1 or 5%w/w CA-oil lotion on one axilla and base-lotion (placebo) to the other for 10 weeks followed by placebo in both axillae for 2 weeks. Every week, the axillae were photographed to measure hair lengths, shaved, and roll-on applicators containing appropriate lotion replaced. Also, skin melanin by spectrophotometry and hair density were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From weeks 5-11 of trial, 1 and 5%w/w CA-oil retarded growth by 13 ± 1.5% and 16 ± 0.9% respectively, while placebo was ineffective. CA-oil had no influence on hair density. Both concentrations of CA-oil rapidly and equally effectively brightened skin within 3 weeks which persisted 2 weeks after treatment ceased while placebo darkened the skin. Adherence appeared good as judged by consistency of lotion consumption and between axillae. Participants were satisfied with the treatment and reported reduced hairiness, freedom from any discomforts, but product odour attracted some negative comment. No adverse reactions ascribed to CA-oil were detected or reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study points to a safe and efficacious dual action on retarding hair-growth and skin lightening by CA-oil.
authors.affiliation: Bioscreening Unit, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Jukkarin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Srivilai
authors.affiliation: Bioscreening Unit, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Preeyawass
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Phimnuan
authors.affiliation: Bioscreening Unit, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Jiraporn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jaisabai
authors.affiliation: Bioscreening Unit, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nantakarn
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Luangtoomma
authors.affiliation: Cosmetic and Natural Product Research Center, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Neti
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Waranuch
authors.affiliation: Bioscreening Unit, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nantaka
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khorana
authors.affiliation: Department of Thai Traditional Medicine, Sirindhorn College of Public Health Phitsanulok 65130, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wudtichai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wisuitiprot
authors.affiliation: Bioscreening Unit, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand.
authors.forename: C Norman
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Scholfield
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Katechan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Champachaisri
authors.affiliation: Bioscreening Unit, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand. Electronic address: kornkanoki@nu.ac.th.
authors.forename: Kornkanok
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ingkaninan
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D063465:Skin Cream; D062327:Skin Lightening Preparations; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; D062327:Skin Lightening Preparations
keywords: 5 alpha-reductase; Anti-androgen; Axillary hair; Clinical study; Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb. essential oil; Hair growth