Inhibition of Inflammatory Gene Expression in Keratinocytes Using a Composition Containing Carnitine, Thioctic Acid, and Saw Palmetto Extract

August 2009 in “ Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ”

Sridar V. Chittur, Brian A. Parr, G Marcovici

carnitine thioctic acid saw palmetto extract keratinocytes androgenic alopecia 5-alpha reductase inhibitors inflammatory chemokines CCL17 CXCL6 LTB4 LSESr AGA

Studysummary This study found that a composition including Serenoa repens extract and anti-inflammatory agents effectively suppressed inflammation-related gene expression in a keratinocyte model, suggesting a potential dual strategy for treating androgenetic alopecia. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The 2011 study explored the anti-inflammatory properties of a composition containing LSESr, carnitine, and thioctic acid on keratinocytes, which are cells relevant to hair follicle inflammation in AGA. Using an in vitro assay with human keratinocyte cells stimulated by LPS to mimic inflammation, the researchers found that the composition significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory chemokines such as CCL17, CXCL6, and LTB4. These findings suggest that the composition could be a more effective treatment for AGA by combining 5-alpha reductase inhibitors with anti-inflammatory agents, proposing a novel dual-action approach to AGA therapy. However, the study was conducted in vitro, and no human subjects were involved.

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