Nat Prod Res. 2009 Sep 16:1-12

Effect of Citrullus colocynthis Schrad fruits on testosterone-induced hair loss.
Dhanotia R,.

Hair loss is a psychologically distressing phenomenon. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of Hair loss, which affects millions of men and women worldwide, and is an androgen driven disorder. Here, the Citrullus colocynthis Schrad fruit is evaluated for hair regrowth activity in androgen-induced alopecia. Petroleum ether extract of C. colocynthis was applied topically for its hair regrowth-promoting activity. Alopecia was induced in albino mice by testosterone administration intramuscularly for 21 days. Its inhibition by simultaneous administration of extract was evaluated using follicular density, anagen/telogen (A/T) ratio and microscopic observation of skin sections. Finasteride (5alpha-reductase inhibitor) solution was applied topically and served as positive control. Petroleum ether extract of C. colocynthis exhibited promising hair growth-promoting activity, as reflected from follicular density, A/T ratio and skin sections. The treatment was also successful in bringing a greater number of hair follicles in anagenic phase than the standard finasteride. The result of treatment with 2 and 5% petroleum ether extracts were comparable to the positive control finasteride. The petroleum ether extract of C. colocynthis and its isolate is useful in the treatment of androgen-induced alopecia.

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