P40 THE EFFECT OF HERBAL EXTRACT ON HAIR GROWTH IN FEMALE ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA
Rinaldi F, Sorbellini E, Bezzola P
Rinaldi Dermatological Center, Milan, Italy

The incidence of Androgenic Alopecia (AGA) in women, particularly in postmenopause is high. One of the chief mechanisms is represented by the conversion of testosterone into 5-DHT by 5?-reductase enzyme. A specific extract from leaves of Bohemeria nipononivea (BN) (a plant of nettle family from Japan and China) has an effective 5?-reductase inhibitory activity due to specific fatty acids. MATERIALS AND METHODS We undertook a randomised, DB, parallel groups, controlled versus placebo, pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of tablets formulation containing 200 mg of specific extract of BN. Women suffered from AGA received either one active tablet, once a day, or placebo for 4 months. We carried out examinations at baseline (T0) and after 2 (T1), 3 (T2) and 4 months (T3) including trichogram execution with anagen and telogen count, hair shaft, diameter evaluation and hair count in a defined scalp area (1cm2) identified by a tattoo, evaluated with a photographic method. The statistical analysis was performed on all randomised subjects by means of an Analysis of Covariance. RESULTS 60 women, 30 per group, aged from 44 to 69 years were enrolled. No increase in anagen count was observed in placebo group, whereas, active tablets showed a progressive increase from 6% at T1 to 10% at T3 (p<0,0001). Telogen count percentage reduction was nearly 35% in the treatment group at T3 while in the placebo group didn't change (p<0,0001 at T2 and T3). Hair shaft diameter showed a progressive increase at T1, T2 and T3 in the treatment group. No variation was observed in the placebo group (p<0,0001). Hair count in the treatment group at T1, T2 and T3 showed a higher increase from T0 compared to placebo group (p<0,0001). CONCLUSION A Bohemeria nipononivea specific extract could be considered safe and effective in the treatment of female AGA. As our results show, we obtained a significant reduction of hair miniaturization, the improvement of anagen hair and of anagen/telogen ratio, and an interesting hair regrowth stimulation in the group treated with the active extract.