Topical Botanical Extract for Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia
March 2014
in “
Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology
”
topical botanical extract chemotherapy-induced alopecia CIA androgenetic alopecia AGA hair follicle apoptosis Bcl-2 phototrichogram anagen/telogen ratio A/T ratio immunohistochemistry scalp biopsies Bcl-2+ cells antiapoptotic apoptosis alopecia chemotherapy radiotherapy topical extract chemotherapy hair loss hair loss hair follicle death Bcl-2 protein hair growth cycle hair biopsy anti-cell death cell death chemo radiation therapy
TLDR A botanical extract may help manage hair loss from chemotherapy by preventing cell death in hair follicles.
The document presents a study on the use of a topical botanical extract for managing chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA). The study involved 19 male subjects with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) to mimic CIA conditions and assess the product's effect on hair follicle apoptosis by measuring Bcl-2 levels, a protein that inhibits apoptosis. The study used phototrichogram to determine the anagen/telogen (A/T) ratio before and after product application on days 1, 44, and 86, and immunohistochemistry in scalp biopsies from 25 nonalopecia and 15 AGA subjects to assess Bcl-2+ cells. Results showed an increase in A/T ratio from 2.96 to 4.35 and a significant 89% increase in Bcl-2+ cells in AGA subjects after product application, although levels remained below nonalopecia subjects. No adverse events were reported. The study concluded that the botanical extract could normalize antiapoptotic Bcl-2 levels, prevent premature apoptosis, and potentially serve as a topical management for alopecia in patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, pending further investigation on dosage. The research was sponsored by Legacy Healthcare.
