t-Flavanone Improves the Male Pattern of Hair Loss by Enhancing Hair-Anchoring Strength: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

摘要

Introduction trans -3,4′-Dimethyl-3-hydroxyflavanone ( t -flavanone) is a derivative of astilbin that actively stimulates hair growth. The aim of the present study was to identify the mechanisms of action of t -flavanone on hair growth. Methods A double-blind usage test was performed with healthy volunteers who had androgenic alopecia (AGA). The subjects were divided into three groups with equal average baldness. The members in each group applied a vasodilator-containing hair lotion supplemented with either 0, 0.1, or 0.3% (wt) t -flavanone twice a day for 30?weeks. The efficacy of t -flavanone was evaluated based on the parietal global and microscopic images. At week 30, the anchoring strength of hair was measured by the average peak force required for plucking out a single hair in a non-bald area using a digital force gauge. Desmoglein expression in the cultured human hair follicle was analyzed by Western blotting. Results After 30?weeks, t -flavanone significantly improved AGA and enhanced the hair-anchoring strength in a hair diameter-independent manner. Culture of human hair follicles in vitro with t -flavanone resulted in the upregulation of desmoglein protein expression. Conclusions The results of our in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated that t -flavanone enhanced the cell-cell adhesions in hair follicles; thus, reinforcement of hair rooting may be a mechanism by which t -flavanone promotes hair growth. Funding Kao Corp.