Hair Growth Promotant Activity of Petroleum Ether Root Extract of Glycyrrhiza Glabra L (Fabaceae) in Female Rats

In a 2012 study, the hair growth promoting activity of petroleum ether root extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra L (Fabaceae) was evaluated on 18 female Wistar rats, divided into three groups of six. Over 30 days, one group received paraffin oil (control), another 2% minoxidil solution (reference), and the third a 2% G. glabra extract. The G. glabra extract group exhibited longer hair, a higher percentage of hair follicles in the growth phase (anagenic phase) at 76%, and a reduced time for hair growth initiation and completion (5-13 days) compared to the minoxidil group (66% anagenic follicles, 6-19 days) and the control (45% anagenic follicles). The study concluded that G. glabra extract shows promise as a hair growth promotant in females.