Hair regeneration: Gencor’s herbal extract found effective for Alopecia patients, study finds

02 Aug 2022 --- Gencor’s HairAge-Vitae – a herbal extract of Ageratum conyzoides (A. conyzoides) – was found to “considerably” increase hair density and decrease the hair loss ratio (HLR) of patients with Alopecia. Following topical administration of A. conyzoides, the Gencor study observed a net increase in hair growth.

A. conyzoides, also known as Billy Goat Weed, is a commonly available herb with antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

“The clinical trial findings consolidated earlier work with Gencor’s validated A. conyzoides extract and generated a great deal of interest in the hair care and beauty industry,” Paul Clayton, consultant at Gencor and professor at the Institute of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Moscow, Russia, tells PersonalCareInsights.

“Gencor scientists had previously discovered an entirely new approach to hair regeneration and the trial data proves that this new approach works in the real world.”

“This means that men (and women) who have experienced hair loss no longer have to go the drug route – with all its problems – and opt instead for a natural remedy,” adds Clayton. “This is absolutely on point with the growing demand for natural solutions, making this a very attractive option for the major hair-care brands.”

Hair loss medications and future outlook
Clayton details that further work is being planned in the context of hair care and skincare too.

The research demonstrates the efficacy and safety of A. conyzoides extract as a treatment for hair growth in adults.“These are elements in Gencor’s wider anti-aging research program, which has developed many important anti-aging tools. These address the cosmetic aspects of aging and more directly health-related issues such as sarcopenia and senescent endocrinology.”

Additionally, “more studies will follow, NPD will continue with conyzoides and many other bio-source materials,” he adds.

A. conyzoides, which has historically been used to treat a wide range of ailments such as skin illnesses, digestive issues, headaches and pneumonia, has also been discovered to be efficient in promoting hair growth and reducing hair loss.

Importantly, its safety profile gives it an edge over the two popular hair loss medications now on the market, finasteride and minoxidil, which are linked to side effects.

Analyzing impact on hair growth
The twelve-week-long study involved 80 male and female participants who self-reported hair loss. The participants received daily doses of A. conyzoides topical gel at a concentration of 0.5% for 12 weeks.

To measure hair density, the researchers used HairCheck and the hair loss ratio (HLR) to quantify hair growth.

The average number of hairs lost during a one-minute combing test and a hair tug or pull test were also used to measure hair loss.

Both men and women can be affected by Alopecia, which can be distressing psychologically.The Hamilton-Norwood scale for males and the Savin scale for women were additional hair measurements. The participants’ quality of life (QoL) was assessed using self-assessment questionnaires. Hematological and biochemical markers were also evaluated.

At 12 weeks, A. conyzoides-treated participants had considerably higher hair density and lower HLR than placebo participants. The Hamilton-Norwood and Savin hair loss scales, as well as the one-minute combing test and hair pull test, did not reveal any significant changes.

Throughout the trial, QoL measures and biochemical and hematological markers did not change significantly.

Tackling hair loss
PersonalCareInsights previously reported on a University of California Riverside (US) study that baldness may be alleviated with a TGF-beta protein that controls how cells – including those in hair follicles – divide and produce new cells or prepare to die, ultimately causing the loss of the entire hair follicle.

Meanwhile, another US-based Salk Institute for Biological Studies study found that Alopecia may be treated and new hair growth generated through the interaction between immune cells and skin cells, leading to new hair follicle production.

In other hair health developments, US researchers from Wake Forest University unveiled that a “low-level light treatment” developed by Revian may be used to treat central centrifugal cicatricial Alopecia, while baricitinib – an arthritis drug – consumption may improve hair growth in patients who had Alopecia.

By Nicole Kerr