Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of topical procyanidin b2 and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men; A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Abstract

Objective: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common type of alopecia characterized by the shortening of the anagen phase of hair growth and the miniaturization of hair follicles. TGF-β is a well-known hair cycle catagen phase inducer and is involved in the catagen phase in AGA. Inhibition of TGF-β is recognized as a therapeutic option in the treatment of AGA. Procyanidins are a type of polyphenol that has been shown to inhibit TGF-β activity in vivo, but there haven’t been many studies on their effectiveness. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical procyanidin B2 in the treatment of male AGA. Materials and Methods: Patients aged between 18 and 50 years who applied to our dermatology outpatient clinic with the complaint of AGA and had Hamilton-Norwood type II-V AGA were included in our study. Those who had received 5-reductase inhibitor or isotretinoin treatment in the previous year, those who had used any medicinal or herbal product that stimulated hair growth, particularly topical minoxidil, in the previous six months, those who had used systemic steroids for more than two weeks in the previous three months, those who had undergone a transplant or scalp reduction, and those who had received radiotherapy or chemotherapy at any point in their lives were excluded from the study. A total of 40 patients who met the current criteria were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups to receive 16 weeks of topical procyanidin B2 (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) therapy. At the end of the treatment, the patients were called for control. The efficacy of topical procyanidin B2 after treatment was evaluated by trichoscan and global photographic evaluation. Results: A total of 40 male patients (mean: 33.32, range: 21–44) with AGA type II-IV were included in the study. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, duration of hair loss, and AGA type (P > 0.05). At the end of the study, there was a significant increase in total hair count in the topical procyanidin B2 group compared to the placebo group compared to baseline (P < 0.05). Anagen hair count was also significantly increased in the topical procyanidin B2 group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In this placebo-controlled study, we think that topical procyanidin B2 is an effective and safe treatment option in the treatment of AGA patients.