Researchers in Thailand believe that a mangrove extract can help tackle baldness.
The extract, called Avicequinon C, has been found to stop the body from producing hormones that can lead to hair loss.
So far, the research team of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Chulalongkorn University has tested the extract on a group of 50 men and women with androgenic alopecia, the most common form of hair loss.
Participants made visible improvements after one month, and wmore than it seems the treatment not only results in hair loss but also increases hair growth.
This means that it can help people who have already lost more than their fair share of hair.
The next step is to test the extract on more volunteers so that it can be approved by the Thai Food and Drug Administration.
If it gets the go-ahead, a private company has already purchased the research patent, which it could use to develop a hair loss product.
Professor Wanchai Deeknamkul, from the Faculty of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, said: “We have found that it has many benefits. Firstly, it prevents enzymes from producing hair loss hormones, and secondly, it can also help produce the protein that stimulates hair growth.
‘We took photos of the volunteers’ heads in each corner and also used a microscope to look at the hair loss area to examine the nature of hair loss and to make an appointment after one month and do the same process for four consecutive months repeat.
“We compared photos of the same spot and found that participants only showed positive changes after a month with an improvement in hair strength that also stays well with the scalp, while none of the participants showed any allergic reaction.”
He added that its natural derivation could make it a more desirable option than synthetic alternatives.
9 days agoHe explained: ‘We have selected more than 50 herbal extracts and more than 20 pure substances and found that Avicennia Marin extract contains the active ingredient Avicequinone C, which inhibits the enzyme that produces hair loss hormones.
Avicennia Marin extract also helps to build proteins that can also promote hair growth, thus helping to completely solve the problem of hair loss.
“Several cosmetic products that claim to treat hair loss mostly consist of chemically synthesized substances. It can cause unwanted side effects, especially allergic reactions and skin inflammation and affect the body system.
‘Furthermore, almost not all have been scientifically proven or researched to determine the mechanism of action of the substances used.
“In the past, we imported synthetic drugs from topical and oral medicine from abroad, but it showed only 30 percent and 48 percent. Furthermore, the side effects were also much more.
“Therefore, extracts from the Avicennia Marin plants found in Thai mangrove forests will reduce the import of synthetic drugs. It could also be an export product that also creates market value for the country.”