Pumpkin seed oil vs. minoxidil 5% topical foam for the treatment of female pattern hair loss: A randomized comparative trial

Abstract

Background Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) is an annual climber plant, and its seeds have considerable amount of oil with nutritional and medicinal importance. Aim The present study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of pumpkin seed oil (PSO) in the treatment of female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and compare its effects with minoxidil 5% foam. Methods Patients with FPHL were randomly assigned to pumpkin seed oil (n = 30; group A) or minoxidil 5% foam (n = 30; group B) for a period of 3 months. Patients were evaluated clinically and dermoscopically at baseline, at one and half months, and at the end of the 3‐month study. Results Among group A (pumpkin seed oil) candidates, a significant decrease was observed in hair shaft diversity before and after treatment (30.5 ± 6.2%, 24.0 ± 4.02, P < .001, respectively) as well as in the vellus hairs (22.5 ± 4.9, 15.8 ± 2.2, P < .001, respectively). Upright regrowing hairs significantly increased from (0.13 ± 0.5) before treatment to (0.9 ± 1.0) after treatment (P < .001). In group B (minoxidil applying) candidates, a significant decrease was observed in hair shaft diversity before and after treatment (31.5 ± 6.3%, 21.3 ± 2.2, P < .001, respectively) as well as in the vellus hairs (24.7 ± 6.4, 19.5 ± 5.4, P = .02, respectively). Conclusion Findings of the present trial provide evidence of a promising potential role of PSO in treating FPHL.

The efficacy of the combination of topical minoxidil and oral spironolactone compared with the combination of topical minoxidil and oral finasteride in women with androgenic alopecia, female and male hair loss patterns: A blinded randomized clinical trial

“…6,18 Minoxidil is a regulator of potassium ion channels with vasodilator effect and causes angiogenesis around hair follicles, which helps to transform hair shafts into terminal hair. 20,21 On the other hand, spironolactone acts as an antiandrogen drug by binding to the aldosterone receptors in the kidney and reabsorbing potassium from the urine and reducing the production of androgens in the ovaries. With the reduction in androgen production, hair that has become thin and weak due to high secretion of these hormones becomes thick again and returns to its normal state.…”

The potential of pumpkin seed oil as a functional food—A comprehensive review of chemical composition, health benefits, and safety

“…In the study, which involved 76 male patients with AGA who received 400 mg of PSO per day for 24 weeks, satisfaction scores and average hair number increased compared to the control group. Similarly, PSO showed promising potential for the treatment of female pattern hair loss in a randomized comparative study (Ibrahim et al., 2020). This study involved 60 female patients with androgenic alopecia (diagnosed clinically and dermatoscopically) who applied 1 ml of topical PSO once daily for three consecutive months.…”

Dermoscopic evaluation of the efficacy of combination of topical spironolactone 5% and minoxidil 5% solutions in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: A cross sectional‐comparative study

“…Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common chronic dermatological illness that affects both men and women 1 . Throughout their lives, it impacts up to 80% of men and 50% of women 2 …”

“…1 Throughout their lives, it impacts up to 80% of men and 50% of women. 2 It is characterized by gradual thinning, miniaturization, and hair loss at the afflicted locations. The extent and intensity of hair loss vary greatly between frontotemporal recession and residual occipital band, and patients may go through several stages in between.…”