Introduction:Currently there are only a limited number of drugs available for treatment of androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium. However, certain plants and their standardized extracts may provide some clinical benefits against hair loss. We formulated a herbal shampoo and a solution to evaluate their efficacy, safety, and synergy in hair loss. Methods: We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind, clinical and instrumental study for 6 months on 120 subjects with androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium, confirmed by pull test and phototricogram. Each subject was examined monthly. At the end of the study, a self-assessment test was carried out. Results: Herbal formulations were found to be more effective in preventing and reducing hair loss than placebo at every assessment point. Anagen/telogen ratios improved significantly in the study group. In addition, concomitant use of the shampoo and solution were found to be more effective than single product use. Conclusion: We interpret this eutrophic effect for scalp hair as the final outcome of the entire content of our herbal formula, which has antiandrogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, angiogenic, and hair-stimulating features. In combination, these features help prevent hair from falling out and reducing hair loss.

Topical Fc leaf extract may be beneficial for some inflammatory disorders and androgen-dependent disorders of the skin such as androgenetic alopecia.

Vitiligo is a pigment disease characterized by the disruption of melanocyte structure and function. Its etiology is unknown; however, genetic predisposition, biochemical factors, and neural mechanisms are thought to be effective. Although many agents are being used for its treatment, generally there is no absolute cure. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of topical Nigella sativa seed oil on vitiligo patients. Thirty‐three vitiligo patients were included in the study. Totally 47 areas were evaluated in all patients. Cream containing N sativa seed oil was topically applied to hands, face, and genital region two times a day for 6 months. Statistically significant repigmentation was detected in hands, face, and genital region, the three treatment areas, and the p values are found .005, .001, and .004, respectively. N sativa can be used as an adjuvant therapy that can contribute to the treatment especially in sensitive skin areas like genital region.

Lepidium sativum L. (Brassicaceae) (Ls), garden cress, is an edible herb that is botanically related to watercress and mustard, sharing their peppery, tangy flavor and aroma. The various parts of the plant have been traditionally used for many respiratory, rheumatologic, cardiovasculary, metabolic, and gastrointestinal disorders. Several studies were performed showing its antiinflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antiproliferative as well as tissue protective effects. In all of these studies the positive effects of Ls were concluded as the result of its antioxidant features due to the polyphenols and organosulphur compounds. In this study, we investigated the molecular basis of antiinflammatory, antiproliferative, antimitotic and antiandrogenic effects of Ls leaf extract in HaCaT cells. The gene expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1-alpha (IL-1α), and 5 alpha-reductase type II (SRD5A2) were studied. Gene expressions were determined by RT-qPCR analysis. Fold change results of the gene expression analyses showed that the plant extract caused statistically significant downregulation of VEGF (0.2167, p<0.0001), p = 0.0262), and SRD5A2 (0.0567, p<0.0001). The fold change for IL-1α was 0.6900 and this result was not statistically significant (p = 0.1522). These preliminary results may partially explain the clinical success of Ls in the traditional medicine. Considering these results, topical application of Lepidium sativum extract may be beneficial for inflammatory, androgen dependent disorders of the skin.

BackgroundCurrently while, topical minoxidil and oral finasteride are the only medications approved in androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the cause oriented treatment and immunsupressive treatment are being performed in telogen effluvium (TE) and alopecia areata (AA) respectively. Considering the inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis of these three nonscarring alopecia forms, we have formulated a mixture for topical usage composed of six different herbal extracts (HE) which have already known antiinflammatory and antioxidant features.Materials and MethodsIn addition to performing the phytochemical analysis of HE, we detected the gene expression level of IL-1α, the crucial hair loss mediator, for the putative efficacy in nonscarring alopecia. Cell proliferation assay was performed by XTT reagent. After determination of non-cytotoxic concentration, HaCaT cells were treated with HE. RNA isolations were carried out from both non-treated and treated cell groups by using TRI-reagent. Gene expressions of IL-1α and as control GAPDH were determined by RT-qPCR analysis.ResultsResults were represented as “IL-1α/GAPDH Fold Change”. HE solution caused statistically significant downregulation of IL-1α gene expressions (p<0.0001), compared to untreated control cells. HE treatment ended up with 0.1900 fold change for IL-1α.ConclusionIL-1α is a direct growth inhibitory agent in hair follicles and an important actor in the pathogenesis of AGA , TE, and AA. Considering together the vitamins, flavonoids, and trace elements identified in the phytochemical analyses and downregulation of IL-1α in HaCaT cells, our HE may be an auxiliary agent in the therapy of these three nonscarring alopecia forms.

Summary Background Melasma is an acquired hyperpigmentation, often involving the face, and a source of distress for the affected individuals. Although treatment is challenging and frequently a multimodality approach, topical applications are the mainstay of therapy. Objective Due to the frequent relapses, a therapy both acting rapidly and suitable for long‐term use, with fewer adverse effects should be administered. In our outpatient clinic, we treated the melasma patients with a previously unreported triple combination which was empirically formulated with lesser amount of active components, regarding the balance between long‐term use and safety. Methods Sixty‐eight female patients with melasma who referred to our hospital dermatology clinic in the years 2016‐2017 were retrospectively recruited. They all had completed 6‐month treatment with a prescribed cream mixture comprised of azelaic acid (4%), hydroquinone (1.6%), methylprednisolone aceponate (0.04%), and salicylic acid (2%). The outcomes were evaluated both instrumentally (Melanin Index/MI) and by patients (Patient Self‐Assessment Scale/PSAS). Results Adverse effects declared by the patients were transient irritation in three and mild hypertrichosis in two. Both the MI and PSAS values were found extremely significant at the end of 6th month, compared with initial values. Approximately 62% of total decrease in MI was realized in the first 3 months. Conclusion The triple combination containing active ingredients with lesser concentrations than proposed, and with the addition of 2% salicylic acid, may be promising as a quite effective and safe protocol in treatment of melasma for longer durations.

Introduction:Minoxidil has been used topically to stimulate hair growth for male androgenetic alopecia (AGA) for more than 3 decades. It is currently being used for female AGA and alopecia areata (AA) as well. Although much time has passed since its first use, our understanding of its mechanism of action is highly limited. Therefore, we examined the inflammatory properties of AGA and AA, two entities in which minoxidil is being used as a therapeutic agent. We investigated the in vitro expression levels of cytokine interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α), a potent inhibitor of hair growth, in minoxidil-treated human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells to determine whether this molecule exerts anti-inflammatory effects.Materials and Methods:Cellular proliferation was examined using the Cell Proliferation Kit II (XTT) reagent. After determining a noncytotoxic concentration, HaCaT cells were treated with minoxidil. RNA was isolated from both untreated and treated cells with TRI Reagent®. Expression of the IL-1α gene was determined by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis and is reported relative to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), which served as a control.Results:Results are presented as IL-1α/GAPDH fold change. Minoxidil treatment downregulated IL-1α expression by 0.3433-fold compared with untreated cells (P = 0.001).Conclusion:This anti-inflammatory effect of minoxidil, as evidenced by significant downregulation of IL-1α gene expression in HaCaT cells, may represent one of its mechanisms of action in alopecia.

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