A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Determine the Effectiveness of Botanically Derived Inhibitors of 5-α-Reductase in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia
April 2002
in “Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine”
TLDR Natural 5AR inhibitors effectively improve mild to moderate hair loss in men.
This study aimed to test the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase (5AR) in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The liposterolic extract of Serenoa repens (LSESr) and ß-sitosterol were tested on males between the ages of 23 and 64 years of age, in good health, with mild to moderate AGA. The results showed a highly positive response to treatment, with 60% of study subjects dosed with the active study formulation rated as improved at the final visit. This study establishes the effectiveness of naturally occurring 5AR inhibitors against AGA for the first time, and justifies the expansion to larger trials.
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Finasteride may treat baldness but less effective for those with 5α-reductase deficiency.
research Quantitative assessment of 2% topical minoxidil in the treatment of male pattern baldness
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