Recent study shows that HairAge from Gencor supports hair health through oral administration

Photo © AdobeStock.com/diego cervo

A recent study published in Trichology and Cosmetology¹ found that oral administration of Ageratum conyzoides, marketed as HairAge by Gencor (Austin, TX), improved hairline recession in male and female subjects. In the 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 84 healthy males and females experiencing hair loss were given either 250 mg/day of A. conyzoides or placebo.

The primary outcome of the study was the change in hair growth, which was determined by measuring hair density using the HairCheck instrument, and assessing hairline recession. Researchers measured hair loss by counting the mean number of hairs lost in a one-minute combing test and a hair tug/pull test. They also utilized Norwood/Hamilton and Ludwig-Savin scales to evaluate male and female pattern baldness, respectively.

Results showed that A. conyzoides significantly reduced hairline recession compared to placebo, and a trend toward significance was observed for increased hair density in this group as well. While the A. conyzoides saw an increase in hair density compared to baseline and placebo experienced a decline, the differences between groups was not statistically significant. Differences in hair loss measures were not statistically significant, nor were Norwood/Hamilton and Ludwig-Savin scales.

Measures of biochemical and haemotological parameters found that subjects taking A. conyzoides saw significant reductions in total prostaglandins after 12 weeks, compared to baseline, while the placebo group experienced an increase. Males at week 12 taking A. conyzoides experienced reductions in type 2 5α-reductase expression, compared to baseline, while the placebo group experienced an increase. The researchers say this is in line with previous evidence that suggests A. conyzoides targets hair growth and exerts anti-inflammatory properties.

In previous research, the ingredient was found to be effective in topical applications. A pilot study² found that in vitro, exposure of human hair dermal papilla cells (HHDPC) to Ageratum conyzoides paste significantly reduced the expression of 5α-reductase type 1 compared to the negative control. Exposure also significantly inhibited Prostaglandin D2 production (PGD2) in HHDPC. The researchers explain that 5α-reductase is an enzyme that converts testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a major driver of androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss), and PGD2 inhibits hair growth.

“This clinical trial supports the mechanism of action as well as showing hair recession consistent with what we have seen in the in-vitro, open-label, and double-blind topical studies with HairAge,” said R.V. Venkatesh, co-founder of Gencor, in a press release. “According to this research, HairAge can now effectively be incorporated as an oral dietary supplement for improved hair health, giving more flexibility in applications for women and men.”

Reference

1. Clayton, P.; Bogoda, N., Rao, A. Efficacy of an Oral Ageratum Conyzoides Formulation on Increasing Hair Growth and Decreasing Hair Loss in Males and Females: A Randomised Double Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Trichology and Cosmetology, 2023, 6(1): 1-6, DOI: 10.17140/TCOJ-6-119
2. Clayton, P.; Ventakesh, R.; Bogoda, N.; Subah, S. Ageratum conyzoides L. Extract Inhibits 5α-Reductase Gene Expression and Prostaglandin D2 Release in Human Hair Dermal Papilla Cells and Improves Symptoms of Hair Loss in Otherwise Healthy Males and Females in an Open Label Pilot Study. J Cosmo Trichol, 2021, 7(1)