Oral and Topical Administration of a Standardized Saw Palmetto Oil Reduces Hair Fall and Improves the Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia Subjects - A 16-Week Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

Purpose

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss in humans, affecting self-esteem and emotional well-being. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of VISPOTM, a standardized saw palmetto oil (2-3% β-sitosterol), in subjects with mild-to-moderate AGA.

Methods

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-arm clinical study, 80 healthy male and female subjects aged 18-50 years were randomly allocated (1:1:1:1) to receive either 400 mg capsules of VISPO or 5 mL of a topical formulation containing 20% VISPO or the respective placebo once daily for 16 weeks. The primary endpoints included hair count (hair comb and hair pull tests) and the self-assessment of perceived efficacy. Objective evaluation was performed using the global photographic assessment score. Hair density, thickness, and anagen/telogen ratio were evaluated using phototrichogram analysis.

Results

At the end of the study, oral and topical formulations of VISPO reduced hair fall by up to 29% (p<0.001) and 22.19% (p<0.01) from the baseline, respectively. Hair density increased by 5.17% and 7.61% in the oral and topical VISPO groups, respectively (p<0.001). In addition, oral ingestion of VISPO resulted in a marked reduction in serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in the subjects compared to placebo (p<0.001). However, the effect of the VISPO formulations on the anagen/telogen ratio was insignificant. No serious adverse effects were observed during the study.

Conclusion

VISPO formulations reduced hair fall and promoted hair regrowth and scalp appearance in AGA patients.

Aframomum melegueta Seed Extract with Standardized Content of 6-Paradol Reduces Visceral Fat and Enhances Energy Expenditure in Overweight Adults - A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study

PURPOSE

Aframomum melegueta (grains of paradise) seeds have been demonstrated to possess thermogenic potential. However, it is necessary to validate the functional attributes of A. melegueta seed extract in human subjects.

METHODS

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial design, we have examined the thermogenic effects of a standardized A. melegueta seed extract (AfperFit). A total of 70 overweight male and female subjects (BMI ≥25.0 to ≤30.0 kg/m²) aged 20-50 years were enrolled and administered with either 250 mg of AfperFit or placebo in capsule form twice daily for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoints included energy expenditure (indirect calorimetry), body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)) and fat distribution (computed tomography (CT scan)), analyzed at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. The effect of intervention on the quality of life was examined using SF-12 questionnaire.

RESULTS

Consumption of AfperFit significantly increased the energy expenditure (p<0.01), visceral fat area (p<0.001) and visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio (p<0.01) compared to placebo group. Consequently, there was significant body weight loss and reduction in BMI of subjects in AfperFit group compared to placebo (p<0.01). The safety evaluation showed that biochemical and hematological parameters were in the normal range. Supplementation of AfperFit was well tolerated during the study and no adverse effects were observed.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this study validates the health benefits of A. melegueta seed extract as fat burner and recommends its use as a functional ingredient to improve the quality of life and general health.