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dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain seed oil has demonstrated antiandrogenic activities in rats
and mass, trauma and pain of joints. In addition, modern and are useful for treatment of androgenic alopecia. These
pharmacological investigations have shown that this plant actions have been suggested to be related to the presence of
possesses a wide range of biological effects, including dilating phytostrols resulting to inhibition of 5-alpha reductase
coronary artery, improving myocardial ischemia, modulating enzyme. 26,27,54
the immune system, anti-coagulation, anti-thrombosis,
anti-oxidation, anti-aging, anti-hypoxia, anti-fatigue, anti Curcuma aeruginosa
inflammation, anti-hepatic fibrosis, anti-tumor, analgesia Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb. (family: Zingiberaceae) is a
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The florets of C. tinctorius have been used for hair growth widespread plant in Southeast Asia and sesquiterpenes have
promotion. The in vitro and in vivo studies of the floret been reported as the main chemical constituents of them.
extract resulted significant increase in length of cultured hair The plant rhizomes have been used traditionally for
follicles and stimulates in the growth of hair with local effects gastrointestinal and uterine disorders. Moreover, this plant
in mice. Also, C. tinctorius has been introduced as one of the has many various biological activities such as postcoital
most potent 5-alpha reductase inhibitors in previous contraceptive, anti-pyretic, anti-HIV, hepatoprotective,
studies. 23,48 anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory,
anti-platelet-activating factor and anti-nociceptive effects. 55,56
Citrullus colocynthis Schrad Several in vitro and in vivo investigations demonstrated
Citrullus colocynthis Schrad (family: Cucurbitaceae) is an anti-androgenic effect from the rhizomes of this plant. The
important medicinal plant that is used traditionally as a possible mechanism for this action was introduced the

purgative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-diabetic, 5-alpha reductase inhibitory activity and sesquiterpenes
anti-bacterial, anti-hypertension, insecticide and hair tonic were responsible components for this action. 28
agent. 25,49-52 Phytochemical screening of C. colocynthis
exposed the presence of different groups of chemical Cuscuta reflexa Roxb
structures such as flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins, Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. or dodder (family: Convolvulaceae)
alkaloids and glycosides. In vito investigations about effect is a parasitic herb, which draws the nutrients from the host
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of C. colocynthis on hair growth in albino rats revealed the and consequently, phytoconstituents are varying in different
significant reduction of hair growth initiation time and hosts. Previous literature reported the isolation of steroids,
complete hair growth time, and also increasing of hair glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, cuscutalin,
follicles number in the anagen phase. In a previous study cuscutin, and amarvelin from C. reflexa stems. 29,30,57 It is

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C. colocynthis fruits were evaluated for hair growth effect in traditionally used to treat urinary disorders, bilious disorders,
androgen-induced alopecia in albino mice and the results liver disorders, jaundice, muscle pain, coughs and also it has
showed the affirmative effects of 2 and 5 % petroleum- ether purgative effects. Additionally, C. reflexa is used for treatment
extracts that were comparable to the finasteride as positive of the protracted fever, body ache and itchy skin. Pursuant to
control. Additionally, the petroleum ether extract showed previous studies, different extracts of the plant exhibited
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inhibitory effect of 5-alpha reductase enzyme in the in vitro anti-HIV, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and
studies of testosterone induced benign prostatic hyperplasia. anti-oxidant effects. Another in vitro experiment showed
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This mechanism may be related to the promoting action of that the petroleum ether extract and its isolated fraction had

C. colocynthis on hair growth in androgenic alopecia. beneficial effects in the treatment of androgen induced
alopecia by inhibition of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. 29,58,59
Cucurbita pepo
Cucurbita pepo or pumpkin (family: Cucurbitaceae) Eclipta alba Hassk
seeds are valuable commonly used plant in medical and food Eclipta alba Hassk (family: Asteraceae) is an annual
industry. Previous reports have indicated the presence of small- branched herb that commonly found in humid
different chemical structures in Pumpkin seed oil. It is a rich situation in India. Phytochemical tests demonstrated the
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natural source of unsaturated fatty acids (significantly presence of flavonoids, carbohydrates and glycosides in
palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids), proteins, phenolic ethanol extract and existence of wedalolactones derivatives
structures triterpenes, carotenoids, lignans, vitamines, and sterols such as β-sitosterol in the petroleum ether
phytosterols and minerals, which make these seeds more extract. Additionally, triterpene saponins and β-amyrin were
valuable for nutrition aids. Pumpkin seed extracts have been isolated from the whole plant of E. alba. 61,62 E. alba is known
found to have strong hypo-triglyceridemic effect and then to have some pharmacological effects such as anti-
decreasing effect on the serum cholesterol level. They showed inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-nociceptive, anti-microbial,
various biologic effects such as anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, anti-epileptic, hepatoprotective, analgesic,
anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-mutagenic, and anti-oxidant immunomodulatory and nootropic effects. It is claimed that,
activities. Furthermore, pumpkin seed oil has been shown to the plant has some effects on promoting hair growth. 60,62,63
be efficient as an alternative medicine in treatments of benign The suggested known mechanism is related to the inhibition
prostatic hyperplasia. Published information showed that the of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. 30,60

30 ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, JUL/AUG 2020 VOL. 26 NO. 4 Asnaashari—Herbal medicines for Androgenic Alopecia