Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Oct 09, 2024 2 months, 1 week, 6 days, 3 hours, 13 minutes ago
Hair Loss: Piperonylic acid, a natural compound found in black pepper, could be a new hope for people struggling with hair loss, according to a recent scientific study.
New study reveals Black Pepper compound as a potential hair loss treatment
Overview of Hair Loss Problem
Hair loss, also known as alopecia, affects millions of people worldwide. While it’s not a life-threatening condition, it can cause significant emotional distress. People with hair loss often struggle with confidence and self-esteem issues, which makes finding effective treatments crucial. Currently, only a few drugs like minoxidil and finasteride are available for treating hair loss, and they come with some limitations such as side effects and limited effectiveness. This
Thailand Medical News report introduces a new possibility, based on a recent study that explored the effects of piperonylic acid on hair growth.
What is Piperonylic Acid?
Piperonylic acid is a natural chemical found in black pepper. It's known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and now, researchers have discovered that it might also be effective in promoting hair growth. The study was conducted by scientists from Hesed Bio Corporation and Handong Global University in South Korea. They tested the effects of piperonylic acid on human dermal papilla cells (DPCs), which play a crucial role in hair growth.
How Does Piperonylic Acid Work?
The researchers found that piperonylic acid activates two key pathways in the body: the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. Both these pathways are involved in promoting the growth and survival of hair follicles.
In the study, piperonylic acid was shown to increase the activity of proteins that help hair cells grow and multiply. It also decreased the levels of a protein called DKK1, which is known to block hair growth. By reducing DKK1, piperonylic acid allowed hair follicles to stay in the active growth phase for longer periods, leading to increased hair production.
The Clinical Study and Its Promising Results
To test the effectiveness of piperonylic acid, the research team conducted a clinical trial on 59 men and women with moderate hair loss (androgenic alopecia). The participants were divided into two groups: one group received a formula containing piperonylic acid, and the other group received a placebo (a formula without piperonylic acid).
The results were impressive. After 16 weeks, the group using the piperonylic acid formula saw a significant increase in the number of hairs in the balding area. On average, their hair count increased by 3.01% after 16 weeks and 1.77% after 24 weeks. In comparison, the placebo group saw little to no improvement in hair count. In fact, some participants in the placebo group experienced fu
rther hair loss by the end of the study.
How Safe is Piperonylic Acid?
One of the most exciting aspects of this discovery is that piperonylic acid appears to be safe for use. The clinical study showed no adverse side effects in participants using the piperonylic acid formula. Unlike some other hair loss treatments that can cause skin irritation or other complications, piperonylic acid seems to be well-tolerated by the scalp.
The Future of Hair Loss Treatments
The findings from this study offer hope for a new, natural treatment for hair loss. Since piperonylic acid is derived from black pepper, it could provide a safer alternative to synthetic hair loss drugs like finasteride, which can have side effects such as sexual dysfunction and scalp irritation.
While the initial results are promising, the researchers caution that more studies are needed to understand the long-term effects of piperonylic acid. Specifically, they suggest conducting longer trials to determine how sustained use affects hair growth over time.
Study Details: Key Findings
Here are some of the key findings from the study:
-Activation of Hair Growth Pathways: Piperonylic acid significantly increased the activation of the EGFR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways in DPCs, which are essential for hair follicle development and growth.
-Increased Hair Cell Activity: The compound promoted the production of proteins like β-catenin, which are involved in hair cell growth. It also increased the activity of cyclin D1, a protein responsible for cell cycle regulation.
-Reduced Hair Loss Inhibitors: By decreasing the expression of the DKK1 protein, piperonylic acid allowed hair follicles to remain active for longer, promoting continuous hair growth.
-Human Trial Success: Participants using the piperonylic acid formula showed a 3.01% increase in hair count after 16 weeks. The placebo group did not see such improvement, with some participants losing more hair during the study period.
Conclusion
In conclusion, piperonylic acid shows great potential as a new treatment for hair loss. It works by activating key pathways that promote hair follicle growth, while also reducing proteins that inhibit hair production. The clinical trial results are promising, with participants showing significant improvement in hair count after just a few months of use.
However, while these initial results are encouraging, more research is necessary to fully understand the long-term benefits of piperonylic acid and its potential side effects. Researchers also suggest expanding future studies to include a more diverse group of participants, as this study was limited to a relatively small number of subjects.
If further research confirms these findings, piperonylic acid could become a popular choice for people seeking natural, effective treatments for hair loss. With its roots in black pepper, this compound could offer a safe and accessible option for millions of people around the world struggling with hair loss.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/19/10774
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