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A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) Evaluating the Efficacy of an Exosome-Containing Plant Extract Formulation for Treating Male Alopecia Amini, Farahnaz; Teh, Jing Ju; Tan, Chung Keat; Tan, Eugenie Sin Sing; Ng, Edmond Siah Chye
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Hair loss affects self-esteem, confidence, and psychological well-being. Exosomes, as molecular carriers of growth factors and active compounds, offer a promising treatment. This study evaluates the efficacy of an exosome formulation containing extracts from two known hair-regenerating plants, Ecklonia cava and Thuja orientalis (ECPE), for male pattern alopecia. Methods: A randomized controlled trial included 20 male participants with Norwood grade 2–3 androgenetic alopecia who were randomly assigned into two groups, placebo (0.9% sodium chloride) and ECPE, administered biweekly across four sessions. Evaluations included hair density measurements, adverse effect tracking, and self-assessments. Results: Most participants (55%) were aged 18 to 35, with 75% reporting hair loss for over a year and 80% noting scalp thinning. The hair counts showed no significant change in the placebo group from baseline to week 16 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test: V = 13.5, p = 0.163), while a significant increase was observed in the ECPE group (V = 0, p = 0.002). Between-group analysis revealed a significant difference in the hair count changes (Wilcoxon rank-sum test: W= 86.5, p = 0.006) with a large effect size (Cliff’s Delta: & = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.41–0.89), with the ECPE group showing higher median hair growth (9.5, IQR = 16.88) compared to the placebo group (1.5, IQR = 3.00). A Bayesian ANCOVA, adjusted for covariates (the father’s scalp hair condition, baseline hair count, and Norwood classification), showed no significant effect of these factors on the outcomes. Conclusions: These findings suggest that ECPE significantly improves hair regrowth compared to the placebo, with no notable adverse effects.
Item Metadata
Title |
A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) Evaluating the Efficacy of an Exosome-Containing Plant Extract Formulation for Treating Male Alopecia
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Creator | |
Publisher |
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
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Date Issued |
2025-03-20
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Description |
Background/Objectives: Hair loss affects self-esteem, confidence, and psychological
well-being. Exosomes, as molecular carriers of growth factors and active compounds,
offer a promising treatment. This study evaluates the efficacy of an exosome formulation
containing extracts from two known hair-regenerating plants, Ecklonia cava and Thuja orientalis
(ECPE), for male pattern alopecia. Methods: A randomized controlled trial included
20 male participants with Norwood grade 2–3 androgenetic alopecia who were randomly
assigned into two groups, placebo (0.9% sodium chloride) and ECPE, administered biweekly
across four sessions. Evaluations included hair density measurements, adverse
effect tracking, and self-assessments. Results: Most participants (55%) were aged 18 to 35,
with 75% reporting hair loss for over a year and 80% noting scalp thinning. The hair counts
showed no significant change in the placebo group from baseline to week 16 (Wilcoxon
signed-rank test: V = 13.5, p = 0.163), while a significant increase was observed in the
ECPE group (V = 0, p = 0.002). Between-group analysis revealed a significant difference
in the hair count changes (Wilcoxon rank-sum test: W= 86.5, p = 0.006) with a large effect
size (Cliff’s Delta: & = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.41–0.89), with the ECPE group showing higher
median hair growth (9.5, IQR = 16.88) compared to the placebo group (1.5, IQR = 3.00).
A Bayesian ANCOVA, adjusted for covariates (the father’s scalp hair condition, baseline
hair count, and Norwood classification), showed no significant effect of these factors on
the outcomes. Conclusions: These findings suggest that ECPE significantly improves hair
regrowth compared to the placebo, with no notable adverse effects.
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Subject | |
Genre | |
Type | |
Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2025-05-07
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
CC BY 4.0
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0448771
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URI | |
Affiliation | |
Citation |
Life 15 (3): 500 (2025)
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Publisher DOI |
10.3390/life15030500
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Peer Review Status |
Reviewed
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Scholarly Level |
Faculty; Researcher
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Rights URI | |
Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
CC BY 4.0