5α-Reductase Type 1 Inhibition of Oryza Sativa Bran Extract Prepared by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Fluid

The 2011 study focused on the potential of Oryza sativa (rice) bran extract, prepared using supercritical carbon dioxide fluid (scCO₂), to inhibit 5α-reductase type 1, an enzyme associated with hair loss. Fraction No. 3 of the extract, which had the highest content of unsaturated fatty acids, showed significant 5α-reductase inhibition activity in DU-145 cell line tests. A strong positive correlation was found between the linoleic acid and total unsaturated fatty acid contents and the enzyme inhibition activity. The study suggests that this fraction of the O. sativa bran extract could be developed as an anti-androgenic alopecia product. The research did not involve human subjects but was conducted on cell lines.