P9.127 THE HERBAL MIXTURE XIANTENE HAD SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON HAIR GROWTH IN A PRELIMINARY DOUBLE-BLIND, VEHICLE-CONTROLLED STUDY IN MEN WITH ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA

Paul G. Davies & Valerie A. Randall

Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK   Objective: Androgenic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, is a common condition characterised by progressive miniaturisation of hair follicles in specific scalp areas.This androgen-dependent condition frequently causes psychological distress but is poorly controlled. Xiantene, composed of 8 botanical extracts, stimulates the growth of isolated human hair follicles in vitro. Therefore, its effects on hair growth in vivo were assessed after topical application to the scalps of men with androgenic alopecia in a 3-month pilot study. Methods: The investigation was conducted on a placebo controlled, double blind basis, involving 12 healthy men with androgenic alopecia (Hamilton Scale II to VI; mean age 38.9 years). The Xiantene group applied 1 ml of solution topically to the crown area each day; the control group used only the vehicle.  Hair samples were epilated from an 8 mm circle from each subject’s scalp at the beginning and end of the study. The unit area trichogram method was used to compare various hair follicle parameters. Measurements were made using light microscopy linked to a computer and the results analysed using Student’s paired t test. Results: There were no significant changes in control group parameters. In the Xiantene group the mean total hair number and number of hairs in anagen were both significantly increased (16.3%, P= 0.033; 23.7%, P =0.0003 respectively); no change in anagen hair diameter was detected. Although anagen hair pigmentation increased, this may be due to staining by the test material; further clarification is required. Conclusions: These results imply that topical application of the herbal mixture Xiantene is able to promote anagen and increase the length of the anagen phase in subjects with androgenic alopecia.  This suggests that it could promote a cessation or reversal in the progression of androgenic alopecia. Although the mode of action is unknown, several components of Xiantene have exhibited enzyme inhibition properties and Xiantene may act as a 5µ-reductase inhibitor, blocking 5µ-dihydro-testosterone synthesis. A larger, longer investigation needs to be carried out to confirm these effects.