MEDICINAL PLANTS USED AS HAIR GROWTH ENCHANCER

BY

ODUGWU IJEOMA PATIENCE

AST/2382180232

A SEMINAR PAPER SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY, SCHOOL OF APPLIED
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AUCHI POLYTECHNIC AUCHI,EDO STATE IN
PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF HIGHER
NATIONAL DIPLOMA (HND) IN MICROBIOLOGY OPTION

APRIL,2023

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 ABSTRACT

Hair loss may not be recognized as a life-threatening disorder. However, it has a great

harm on a person's self-respect mental health, and entirety quality of life .Androgenic

alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss ,which affects a great number of

both men and women. Alopecia can be treated with various hair loss strategies,

including hair transplant, cosmetics and medication. Medical treatment shows the

outstanding ability in improving hair growth. Plenty of drugs prevent alopecia by

inhibiting the secretion of male hormone. But these medicines exhibit some undesirable

side effects. Since hair loss requires a long-term treatment, and minimizing adverse

side effects is extremely urgent in drug development. Accordingly, new agents are

obtained from natural products with less adverse effects. Plant is an important source of

medicine and plays a key role in world health. Medicinal herbs or plants have been

known to be an important potential source of therapeutics or curative aids. The use of

Medicinal plants has attained a commanding role in health system over the world. This

review describe the recent progress of medicinal plants for the treatment of hair loss,

with a brief description of the used of these plants, the active parts of these plants

responsible for hair growth, and suggested recommendations on the use of herbs for

hair regrowth. And outlines a number of trials taken or underway to optimize the

treatment of hair loss.

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INTRODUCTION

Herbal medicine is extremely popular since ancient times in Ayurveda, siddha, Chinese

and unani systems of medicine. Many plants and/or their extracts have been used to

prevent hair loss and treat alopecia (Calixto,2019). Hair has played a vital role in social

and sexual communical over time immemorial. Although the loss of hair is nor a life-

threatening condition, the loss of hair at an early age or sudden onset hair loss may

cause serious psychological distress, thus it may directly affect the quality of life

negatively (Bhalea,2019). For this reason, patients suffering from hair loss should be

considered finically in order to distinguish ordinary hair shedding from pathological hair

loss. A loss of 100 or less hair falling per day should not be considered as pathological

hair loss. Bur in case of hair loss more than 100 per day, a pathological condition should

be mentioned (Aburjai,2019). Hair loss is a common dermatological problem that has

been estimated to affect between 0.2 and 2% of the world's population. There are

several factors leading to hair loss including major physical-emotional stress,

chemotherapy ,genetic predisposition, dihydrotestosterone(DHT) , excessive sebum,

cardiovascular diseases, smoking and endogenous substances (Ayyanar,2020). The

common hair diseases that dermatologist are often faced in daily practice are

androgenetic alopecia (AGA), alopecia areata (AA),telogen effluvium, anagen effluvium,

and traumatic alopecia such as trichotillomania and traction alopecia. AGA known as

make pattern hair loss in men and as female pattern hair loss in women, is the most

common form of hair loss in adults. Approximately 60% of males between the ages 30

and 50 years and 17% of woman under 50 years of age suffer from AGA (Donatus, et

al,2022). The role of DHT which is reduced from testosterone by enzymes 5α reductase

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is clearly known in the mechanism of AGA.in early stage, the process begins with

shortening of the anagen phase and continuous miniaturization of sensitive (Edeofa, et

al.,2019). During this process, terminal hairs are replaced by vellus hairs which are

shorter, fiber and non-pigmented in the frontal and vertex regions of the scalp. Year

after year, permanent baldness occurs at the site of miniaturized hair. AA is a common,

chronic inflammation disease that is characterized by non-scarring alopecia patches on

the scalp. It affects approximately 2%of the united States (US) population. Even though

AA may regress spontaneously ,the disease may remain stable or may even spread to

the entire scalp (known as alopecia totalis) or body(known as alopecia universalist).

Telogen effluvium is a disease that occurs as a result of passing of a portion of hair from

anagen phase to telogen phase (Baskeran, et al., 2021). It is characterized by diffuse

hair shedding. While trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder, traction alopecia is

associated with patient's hairstyle. these two diseases that occur after recurrent and

chronic trauma ate frequently seen in females than males. Both of them can result with

permanent scarring. In recent years, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is

becoming increasingly popular all over the world. In fact CAM is still the only option to

cure and treat some diseases in some regions of Africa, Asia and South America.

Alternative medicine refers to the use of CAM in place of conventional medicine, while

complementary medicine refers to the use of CAM along with conventional medicine

(Ekeke and shode,2019). According to the National Center for Complementary and

Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) in the United States, CAM is defined as 'a group of

diverse medical and health -care system, practices and products that are not presently

considered to be a part of conventional medicine.in some countries like Korea, oriental

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medicine has been officially approved and has gained support from legal system using

the licensing system (Evans,2002). Ideal treatment of hair loss should include the drugs

that have both 5α reductase inhibition effect and hair growth promoter substances

together. The most used conventional treatment ate topical minoxidil, finasteride,

combination of cyproterone acetate and estrogen, spironolactone ,flutamide, topical

progesterone, c imetidine, zinc sulfate, topucal niacin and topucal aminexil, topical

ketoconazole and cyclosporine-A. In particular, minoxidil and finasteride are widely used

for treating hair loss. But adverse effects of all these agents have limited their usage.

Hence patients who suffer from hair loss have begun to turn to alternative therapies,

even though there is little scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness (Feaka et al.,

2019).

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MEDICINAL PLANTS: AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR HAIR LOSS.

Some Medicinal Plants have been found to promote hair growth (hair enhancers)

according to limited studies. these plants include:

Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly known as rosemary, is a plant that belongs to the

family Lamiacae and naturally grows in all Mediterranean countries. It has

antiandrogenic effect and hair growth-promoting activity apart from antioxidative, anti-

inflammatory, antibacterial and antitumor effects (Gebling,2021). In CAM, R.officinalis is

often used in aromatherapy to treat anxiety-related conditions and increase alertness,

although it has occasionally been used to stimulate hair growth. The exact mechanism

of hair growth is still unclear ,but it is believed to act by increasing blood circulation to

the scalp. (Mekinde et al.,2007). showed that topical administration of R.officinalis

extracts solution (2mg)day/mouse) improved hair regrowth in the testosterone-

treatedC57BL /6NCrSlc mice. They also showed significant promotion of hair growth

after 16 days of topical administration. Among some constituents of R.officinalis (i.e,

rosmarinic acide, ursolic acid,12-methoxycarnosic acid(22-MCA,),it was demonstrated

that inhibitory activity of 12-MCA on 5α-reductase was higher than rosmarinic acide and

ursalic acid (82.4,14.2 and 2.5% inhibition at 200ug/mi, respectively)( Kameyama 2019).

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ALOE VERA

A.barbadensis commonly known as aloe vera, is a plant that has been investigated to

been effective for treating many diseases such as pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers,

genital herpes etc. amongst others. The gel of A.barbadensis is used traditionally for

hair loss and for hair improvement in hair growth following alopecia. (Inaoka et al.,

2001) reported that aloenin is the major constituent responsible for promoting hair

growth without irritating the skin. This gel from this plant can restore the pH balance of

the scalp which helps to encourage growth. It also aid moisturizing and hydrating of the

hair.

PEPPERMINT(Mentha x pipperita )

Peppermint plants is a hybrid species of mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint

plant, indigenous to Europe. But now widely spread and cultivated in many regions of

the world. Peppermint aid hair growth by offering healing to the scalp.it moisturizes and

soothes an irritated scalp, it also stimulates hair follicles . Peppermint is often used as

an oil applied directly to the scalp. A study performed by (Daweber R, 1997). On the

used of peppermint oil for hair growth resulted that at the end of 4 weeks, 92% of

patients suffering from alopecia showed hair regrowth.

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Pinax ginseng(GINSENG)

Pinax Ginseng also known as Asian , Chinese ,Japanese or Korean ginseng, is a

species of plant whose root is the original source of ginseng. It is a perennial plant that

grows in the mountains of East Asia. Ginseng gas been shown to promote have been

shown to promote hair growth in several recent studies. It mainly contains ginsenoides,

sesquitepens,pilyacetlyllenes, polysaccharides, peptidogkycans, steroid,chlorine,vitamin

B,C,E,fatty acid, carbohydrates and amino acids. According to (T. Aburjai,F.M. Natsheh,

2002). 70% methanoic extract from red ginseng showed super activity in hair growth

promoting assay using mouse vibrissal follicles in organic culture. The activity is

credited to the saponin component of ginseng. Studies review that ginseng act as a 5α

reductase inhibitor .Ginsenosides enchancers in-vivo hair regrowth based on their

inhibitory activity against 5α -reductase in the androgenetic alopecia model.

Allium sativum

Allium sativum (family lilaceae), known as garlic, is one of the most popular herbal

medicine and can be used in the treatment of various dermatological conditions such as

psoriasis, AA, keloid scar, wound healing, cutaneous condition, viral and fungal

infection, leishmaniasis, and skin aging and rejuvenation. Constituents of garlic include

enzymes (e.g., Allinasr), sulfur-containing compounds(e.g., allin), compounds produced

enzymatically from allin (e.g., allicin, arginine, oligosaccharides, flavonoids,and

selenium. The number of total and terminal hairs in the group treated with garlic gel was

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significantly higher than those of the control group at the third months (Tijani., et al.,

2019).

Aviennia marina

Aviennia marina, also known as grey or white mangrove, is a traditional herb belonging

to the family of Acanthaceae. However, it is traditionally used to treat various skin

diseases in Egypt. The antiandrogenic activity of A.marina, avicequinone C, isolated

from the hearthwood of A.marina was investigated. The results revealed that A.marina

was a potent 5α type 1 inhibitor, reducing the 5α DHT production by 52% at the final

concentration of 10ug)mL. Moreover, among the thirty different extracts, the highest

inhibitory activity was observed from the crude extracts of A.marina at a final

concentration of 10g/ml through the reduction in 5α-DHT formation by more than 50%

(Smet,2019).

RICE BRAN

It is believed that rice bran extracts, which is produced by milled rice(oryza sativa), has
antioxidant, anti- cancer and antihyperoidemic effects as well as 5α-reductase inhibitory
activity. The compounds having antioxidant activity are phenolic acids, flavonoids,
anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, tocopherols, tocoteienols, γ-oryzamol, and phytic
acid. Very few studies exist to support the claims of the efficacy of rice bran (Schulz et
al.,2001). The hair growth -promoting activity of rice bran supercritical CO2 extracts (RB-
SCE) and it's two components (linoleic acid and γ-oryzanol) were shown using real-time
reverse transcriptase -polymerase chain reaction in C57BL/6 mice. In a double -blinded
randomized -controlled study, dermal application of 0.5% of RB-SCE (8ml/day) to the
head skin significantly increased hair density and hair diameter In make patients with
alopecia for 16 weeks.( Tijani IM, et al.,2009).

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Cannabis sativa(HEMP)

Hemp is a botanical class of cannabis sativa cultivars grown specifically for industrial

medicinal use. One of the main ingredients in traditional beard oil and a major

component in beard balm is cannabis sativa oil( Kameyama,2019). This oil penetrates

and is absorbed easily into the skin helping to replenish oil missing due to sun exposure

and pure nutrition. It is full of vitamins such as A,C,E, proteins, beta-carotenes, omega-

3,6and 9, fatty acids along it's nutrients that makes it perfect for all hair types. Hemp oil

penetrates deep into the skin easily and it is an excellent source of omega-6 which is

also known as gamma linolenic acid (GLA) a vital ingredient for hair growth, it stimulates

both growth, and nourishes hair, assisting in keratin production which gives thicker,

stronger and healthier hair (Hoerman, 2020).

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CONCLUSION

In recent years, the use of CAM as an alternative treatment for hair loss has gained

popularity due to the adverse effects observed from the use of conventional treatment.

The observed results with herbal medicine are promising in the treatment of hair loss.

Even so, there is need for more scientific data proving it effectiveness and reliability.

Hair loss is a common ever increasing problem in cosmetics as well as primary health

care practice. hair loss sufferers spend and may do anything and everything to bring

back their looks by spending on remedies ranging on drugs, vitamins to special tonics

and shampoos this has led to increase interest in the alternative remedies such as

herbal medicine, which as provide a new revolution for hair growth. Several medicinal

plants such as rosemary oil, aloe vera gel etc. Have been investigated for their

potential to stimulate hair growth and improved hair health. These plants contain

compounds that may promote blood flow, reduce inflammation, and provide antioxidant

benefits to the scalp, which may support healthy hair growth.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that:

I. Further research should be carried out on medicinal plants to determine their

efficacy in enhancing hair growth.

II. There are many reasons hair may fall out, from genetics and vitamins

deficiencies, to hormones changes etc. Be sure to talk to your doctor before

adding herbs to your daily routine, especially if your hair loss is caused by a

medical condition.

III. No herbal remedy can regrow a full head of hair. Although research has shown

that some plants or herbs may help strengthen hair, support scalp health,

improve hair thickness, or stimulate the hair growth cycle. Still, more clinical trials

on humans are needed before herbal remedies become a mainstream hair

treatment.

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