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

The study investigated the effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract on hair growth in female Wistar rats. The rats were divided into three groups of 6, with their dorsal skin denuded and treated with either paraffin oil (control), 2% minoxidil solution, or 2% petroleum ether root extract of G. glabra for 30 days. Results showed that the G. glabra extract led to longer hair and quicker hair growth commencement (5-13 days) compared to minoxidil (6-19 days) and control. Additionally, 76% of hair follicles in the extract-treated group were in the anagenic stage, compared to 66% in the minoxidil group and 45% in the control group. The study concluded that G. glabra root extract had potential as a hair growth-promoting agent for females.