Investigation of follicle stimulating effect of medical cosmetic remedies on the androgen alopecia model in rats

Abstract

Topicality. Androgenic alopecia (AA) is a progressive baldness caused by the effect of androgens on the hair follicle (HF) that develops in people with genetic predisposition. One of the important approaches to AA therapy is the cutaneous application of plant remedies containing phytosterols (antiandrogenic action) and flavonoids (capillary protective, vascular stimulating, antioxidant action). Aim. To study the follicle stimulating activity of a cream-mask and gel-mask with Serenoa repens dry extract (SRDE) and Sophora japonica tincture on the androgenic alopecia model in rats. Materials and methods. Investigation of follicle stimulating activity of soft medical cosmetic remedies (MCR) on the androgenic alopecia model was carried out. For this, adult male rats were daily injected with intravenous testosterone (0.1 ml/0.01-1.0 mg) during 10 days. Then the developed MCR and the comparative drug (2 % solution of minoxidil) were daily applied on animals’ shaved area for 21 days; the control group – untreated animals. The MCR effectiveness was evaluated by measuring the mass of shaved new rat fur. Also the morphometric analysis results of HF density per unit area of skin samples were considered. Results and discussion. The obtained results have shown the rat fur mass from the shaved skin of the animals with the cutaneously applied soft MCR significantly exceeded the rat fur mass from untreated animals and was in the same range in comparison to animals treated with the referent drug. Histologic studies have proved the intensity of HF growth restoration in the experimental groups was significantly higher than the control group. Conclusions. Thus, the developed cream-mask and gel-mask with SRDE and Sophora japonica tincture with cutaneous application showed the evident follicle stimulating effect.