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and added to the products of hair treatment as a nontoxic and hair growth promotion activity (with the topical
ingredients. In the androgenetic alopecia in in vivo models, administration in C3H/He mice at 2 mg/mouse/day). These
enhanced hair re-growing was observed by active ingredients of effects could be related to presence of saponin structures
ginseng via their inhibitory activity against 5-alpha reductase. 82-84 such as soyasaponin I and kaikasaponin III. 38,91

Piper nigrum Linn. Rosmarinus officinalis L.
Black pepper or Piper nigrum Linn. (family: Piperaceae) Rosemary or Rosmarinus officinalis L. (family: Labiatae)
is a climbing vine which native to Srilanka and southern is an aromatic and household herb, which is grown in many
India and is widely cultivated in tropical areas. Phytochemical parts of the world. It is used as food flavor and cosmetics.
analysis demonstrated the presence of alkaloids, tannins, Traditionally, R. officinalis has been used as an anti-spasmodic
phenols, coumarins, carbohydrates, proteins and amino for renal colic, dysmenorrhea, antimicrobial, hyperglycemia,
acids. P. nigrum has several applications, including pain diuretic, anti-oxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-mutagenic,
85
relief, rheumatism, chills, flu, colds, muscular aches and anti-nociceptive and anti-proliferative agent. 92,93 Moreover,
fever. It has anti-microbial, anti-mutagenic, anti-oxidant promotion of hair growth by extracts of R. officinalis was also
properties. 86 reported. The effects of rosemary are mainly caused by the
P. nigrum leaf extract revealed the potent simulation groups of phenolic diterpenes and phenolic acids such as
activity on melanogenesis with no effects on cell proliferation rosmarinic and caffeic acids. Suggested in vitro mechanisms
and two lignan structures, cubebin and 3,4-dimethoxy- for the hair growth simulation property is inhibition of DHT
3,4desmethylenedioxycubebin, were isolated as its active binding to androgen receptors and also inhibition of 5-alpha
constituents. Moreover, the aqueous ethanolic extract of reductase activity. 12-methoxycarnosic acid was reported as
P. nigrum fruits showed potent testosterone 5-alpha reductase the active constituent for this mean. 36,39
inhibition property. 5-alpha reductase inhibitory activities of
cubebin and piperine (a major alkaloid amid of P. nigrum Serenoa repens
fruits) were confirmed as active constituents. Also, the leaf Serenoa repens or saw palmetto (family: Arecaceae) fruits
extract of P. nigrum showed in vivo anti-androgenic effect in or crushed is one of the widely used herbal medicines for
the hair regrowth assay in testosterone sensitive male treatment of symptoms of lower urinary tract and benign
C57Black/6CrSlc strain mice. 37 prostate hypertrophy. Moreover, it has been used as a natural
remedy for androgenic alopecia, polycystic ovary syndrome,
Phyllanthus emblica L. thyroid disorders, stimulating appetite, digestion and
Phyllanthus emblica L. or emblic myrabolan, the Indian absorption of nutrients and for increasing of the metabolism.
gooseberry or amla (family: Euphorbiaceae) is a deciduous The extracts also have been used as diuretic and expectorant 40,94
tree, which is one of the most common medicinal plants with The identified chemical components of S. repens are fatty
widely use of Ayurvedic medicines. The fruits are rich source acids, phytosterols, carotenoids, tannins, sugars. Blocking
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of vitamin C, pectin, flavonoids, terpenoids, polyphenols and of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme and decreasing DHT uptake
alkaloids. 87,88 The plant has been used for treatment of a by hair follicles is the suggested mechanisms of action of
numerous disorders such as Common cold, scurvy, heart S. repens is. Likewise, it is decreasing binding of the DHT to
diseases and cancer. Also, the fruits are used as a hair androgenetic receptors. 40,95
conditioner, antioxidant and treat scalp ailments. 89,90 It was
shown that it is the potent inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase Sophora flavescence Aiton
enzyme and could be able to use as a hair growth promotion Sophorae Radix, or dried roots of Sophora flavescens
agent. 23 Aiton (Family: Fabaceae), including chemical constituents
such as of alkaloids, bioflavones, formoronetin and fatty
Puerariae Flos acids. It has been used in traditional medication for a long
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Puerariae Fos is referring to the flowers of Puerariae time in management of fever, dermal burns, diarrhea,
genus (family: Leguminosae) such as Puerariae thomsonii and mucosal ulcers, viral hepatitis, sores, inflammation,
Puerariae lobata, which contain a great amount of isoflavones gastrointestinal hemorrhage, cancer, and cardiac arrhythmia.
and saponins. Other effects like anti-oxidant, vasodilator, anti-bacterial,
Puerariae Flos has been used as a crude drug to neutralize anti-arthritic, anti-asthmatic, apoptosis modulator properties,
or detoxification of the alcohol overconsumption in Japan anti-tumor activities have been reported in previous
and China. Other biological properties of Puerariae Flos are studies. 96,97 According to the literature, dried root extract of
hepatoprotective, anti-complementary and estrogenic effects. S. flavescens has significant hair growth promoting activity.
Pursuant to the previous studies, the Puerariae Flos This extract inducing mRNA levels of growth factors such as
50% ethanolic extract demonstrated inhibition activity IGF-1 and KGF in dermal papilla cells and it could mediate
against testosterone 5- alpha reductase. Likewise, it showed through the regulation of growth factors in dermal papilla
anti-androgenic effect (using a hair growth in vivo assay in cells. Moreover, S. flavescens root extract owns potent effects
testosterone-sensitive male C57Black/6NCrSlc strain mice) on the inhibition of type II 5-alpha reductase activity. 36,98

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