A liposome-based formulation containing equol, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and propionyl-l -carnitine to prevent and treat hair loss: A prospective investigation

Abstract

Hair loss is a common aesthetic disorder that can be triggered by genetic, inflammatory, hormonal, and environmental factors acting on hair follicles and their life cycle. There are several types of hair loss that differ in causes, symptoms, and spatial and temporal progression. Androgenic alopecia, a common form of hair loss, is the consequence of a decreased microcirculation of the scalp as well as the toxic action of elevated dihydrotestosterone levels on the hair bulbs.In the present study, the lotions TRINOV Lozione Anticaduta Uomo and TRINOV Lozione Anticaduta Donna, containing dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA), S-equol, and propionyl-L-carnitine, were tested on 30 men and 30 women (mean age of men was 46.6 AE 6.4 years; mean age of women was 49.5 AE 9.0) with signs of androgenic alopecia, respectively. DGLA is a precursor of the prostaglandin PGE1, which acts by improving microcirculation; S-equol inhibits 5α-reductases, thus preventing the transformation of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone; and propionyl-L-carnitine promotes lipid metabolism, stimulating energy production. These three molecules are loaded into liposomes for their effective transdermal delivery. Daily topical applications of the lotions resulted in a hair count that significantly increased for women and marginally increased for men after 6 months of treatment. Furthermore, significant increase in anagen hair and a significant decrease in telogen hair were observed starting from 3 months in male and 1 month in female patients. Thus, the formulations under investigation were effective in attenuating androgenic alopecia-related hair loss in men and women.

Efficacy and safety of a new formulation kit (shampoo + lotion) containing anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant agents to treat hair loss

“…There is an increasing interest in alternative treatments that are a simple and cost‐effective with no adverse effects for patients unsatisfied with conventional therapy. Diverse formulations are developed to address this demand . Many hair growth promoters topical formulations are based on herbs and their active constituents .…”

5‐Alpha reductase inhibitors in androgenetic alopecia: Shifting paradigms, current concepts, comparative efficacy, and safety

“…Testosterone is the principal androgen in circulation, but it needs to be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the main pathogenic androgen of AGA, by the catalysis of enzyme 5‐alpha reductase (5‐AR). Therefore, 5‐AR inhibition is the main target for AGA therapy 9 …”

An Uncontrolled Case Series Using a Botanically Derived, β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex in Two Androgenetic Alopecia-Affected Male Subjects

“…Likewise, epigallocatechin 3 gallate has been linked to a decrease in intracellular ROS levels and senescence, each of them factors thought to influence the progression of AGA. Moreover, a recent study showed that a γ linolenic acid containing formulation increased hair counts in AGA-affected subjects [34]. Although the exact mechanism of action remains unclear, β-Sitosterol has been shown to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, a key precipitating isoenzyme linked to AGA.…”