Review Article: Phytochemical Content and Potential of Eclipta Alba (Urang Aring) as a Raw Material for Treating Hair Loss

The review discusses the potential of Eclipta alba L. (Urang-Aring) in treating hair loss, highlighting its botanical characteristics, taxonomy, phytochemical content, and bioactivity. Ethanol, petroleum ether, and ethyl acetate fractions of methanol extracts from the plant have been reported to promote hair growth. Phytochemicals such as triterpenes, saponins, flavonoids, thiophenes, coumestans, coumarins, and steroids are present in E. alba. Specifically, wedelolactone and β-sitosterol are believed to be responsible for its pharmacological effects against hair loss. Wedelolactone inhibits TGF-β1 expression, leading to hair follicle elongation, while β-sitosterol acts as a 5α-reductase inhibitor, aiding in the treatment of androgenic alopecia.