TLDR Ocimum oil may promote hair growth and reduce hair loss from cyclophosphamide.
This preliminary study investigated the efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum Linn (Ocimum oil) in promoting hair growth in cyclophosphamide-induced hair loss in rats. Six groups of 7 rats each were used, with 4 groups receiving cyclophosphamide to simulate chemotherapy-induced hair loss. Ocimum oil was applied topically to some groups either alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide. Histological examination and observations of hair regrowth indicated that Ocimum oil promoted active follicular proliferation and hair growth in both treated and untreated groups. The study suggested that Ocimum oil could enhance normal hair growth and mitigate hair loss caused by chemotherapy.
236 citations,
July 2001 in “Trends in Molecular Medicine” Future hair loss treatments should aim to extend hair growth, reactivate resting follicles, reverse shrinkage, and possibly create new follicles, with gene therapy showing promise.
153 citations,
January 2001 in “Science” Using CDK inhibitors on rats showed a reduction in chemotherapy-caused hair loss, but later experiments could not repeat these results.
36 citations,
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January 2020 in “Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry” The VCO-based herbal hair tonic is effective, safe for hair loss treatment, and can be mass-produced.
January 2020 in “Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences” Natural products show promise for new hair loss treatments.
9 citations,
January 2014 in “DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences” Cuscuta reflexa extracts helped regrow hair in rats with drug-induced hair loss.
41 citations,
July 2015 in “Current Drug Discovery Technologies” Some plants may help with hair growth and have fewer side effects than synthetic drugs, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.
December 2021 in “Bandung Conference Series. Pharmacy” Herbal extracts mixed with coconut oil can effectively promote hair growth.