Investigation of topical application of procyanidin B-2 from apple to identify its potential use as a hair growing agent.

Abstract

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.

• Authors: A Kamimura, T Takahashi, Y Watanabe
• Journal: Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (Phytomedicine) Vol. 7 Issue 6 Pg. 529-36 (Dec 2000) ISSN: 0944-7113 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 11194183 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Biflavonoids
• Plant Extracts
• Proanthocyanidins
• procyanidin B
• procyanidin
• Catechin

Topics

• Administration, Cutaneous
• Adult
• Alopecia (prevention & control)
• Antioxidants (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Biflavonoids
• Catechin (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Fruit
• Hair (drug effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Plant Extracts (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Proanthocyanidins
• Scalp
• Treatment Outcome