An Herbal Extract Combination (Biochanin A, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, and Ginseng Extracts) Versus 3% Minoxidil Solution for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A 24-Week, Prospective, Randomized, Triple-Blind, Controlled Trial

October 2020 in “ The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology ”

Suparuj Lueangarun, Ratchathorn Panchaprateep

Biochanin A Acetyl tetrapeptide-3 Ginseng Extracts Minoxidil androgenetic alopecia terminal hair counts scalp eczema AGA Rogaine

TLDR The herbal mix (Biochanin A, Acetyl tetrapeptide-3, and Ginseng Extracts) and the 3% Minoxidil solution are equally effective in treating hair loss, but the herbal mix has fewer side effects.

A 24-week, triple-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted on 32 subjects with mild to moderate Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) to compare the effectiveness of an herbal extract combination (Biochanin A, Acetyl tetrapeptide-3, and Ginseng Extracts) and a 3% Minoxidil solution. The results showed that both treatments were comparably effective, with no significant difference in the increase of terminal hair counts (8.3% for the herbal extract combination and 8.7% for the Minoxidil solution). The herbal extract combination had fewer side effects, with no adverse reactions observed, while one subject developed scalp eczema from the Minoxidil solution. The study concluded that the herbal extract combination could be a viable alternative for treating AGA due to its comparable efficacy and safety to the Minoxidil solution, but recommended further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods.

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