Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis, L.) Ethanolic Extract as Hair Tonic in Nutraceutical: Physical Stability, Hair Growth Activity on Rats, and Safety Test
January 2014
TLDR Green tea extract hair tonic is stable at room temperature, promotes hair growth better than minoxidil, and is safe for use.
The study aimed to develop a stable, effective, and safe nutraceutical hair tonic using ethanolic green tea extract (GTE) at concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%. The physical stability of the tonic was tested under various temperatures, and hair growth activity was assessed by measuring hair length, diameter, and weight on rats over 21 days. Safety was evaluated on 9 human volunteers. The results indicated that the hair tonic was stable at room and high temperatures but not at low temperatures. All formulations promoted hair growth more effectively than the synthetic drug minoxidil 2.5%. The tonic was also found to be safe and non-irritating to the skin. The 2.5% GTE concentration was determined to be the most optimal formulation.