Clinical trial and in vitro study investigating topical application of Zataria multiflora Boiss. and Matricaria chamomilla extracts for androgenetic alopecia

Abstract

This study was intended to evaluate the hair growth activity of Zataria multiflora Boiss. (ZM) and Matricaria chamomilla (MC) for androgenetic alopecia following a six-month clinical trial. In vitro studies were conducted to measure the inhibitory effects of MC and ZM against 5α-reductase (5αR). In this regard, five samples were prepared: NADPH + enzyme + testosterone + extract (n = 2); enzyme blank (n = 1); positive and negative controls (n = 2). Thereafter, 60 patients with androgenetic alopecia were recruited from Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran. They were divided in a 1:1:1 ratio to Groups A, B, and C. The first two were instructed to use the topical extract twice daily for three months. Group C was treated with placebo in the same instruction. All groups also received 5% topical minoxidil. The outcome measures were patch size, terminal hair count, and grown hair count. No complications were observed during the treatment. There were significant improvements in the patch size and terminal hair count of Groups A and B as compared with those of Group C (p < 0.05). Moreover, the non-considerable promotion of grown hair count showed possible synergistic effects. It could be concluded that ZM and MC extracts can afford to enhance hair growth by inhibiting the 5αR activity and might thus be potent antiandrogen agents.

Keywords:

• androgenetic alopecia
• ethanolic botanical extract
• controlled randomized trial

Public Interest Statement

Herbs are invaluable source with a vast range of features that unleash the potential of new safe treatments for various medical conditions. Of which, the present study attempts to investigate the anti-androgenic activity of two well-known herbs, Zataria multiflora Boiss. and Matricaria chamomilla, rich in phenolics. Both experimental and clinical studies were performed on their ethanolic extracts. The plants have great potential to inhibit the enzyme activity of 5α-reductase and yet enhance human hair growth.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interest.

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Notes on contributors

Anoosheh Sharifan

Anoosheh Sharifan is an associate professor whose main focus is the development of new products out of natural resources, such as probiotics, foods or herbs. Of her recent outstanding articles, “The interventional relationship between frequent fish consumption and depression symptoms in aging adults: a randomized controlled trial”, “The use of Pistacia khinjuk essential oil to modulate shelf-life and organoleptic traits of mechanically deboned chicken meat” or “Developing probiotic jelly desserts with Lactobacillus acidophilus” are mentioned.