Effect of pumpkin seed oil on hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Cho YH
Published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Methodology
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial; 400 mg/day pumpkin seed oil or placebo for 24 weeks; four outcomes comprising blinded assessment of standardised clinical photographs, patient self-assessment, scalp hair thickness and scalp hair counts.
Key Findings
76 men with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia took 400 mg/day of pumpkin seed oil or placebo for 24 weeks. Self-rated improvement and satisfaction scores were significantly higher with pumpkin seed oil (p = 0.013 and p = 0.003), and blinded photographic assessment favoured the treated group (p < 0.001). Mean hair count rose by 40% in treated men versus 10% on placebo (p < 0.001), with no difference in adverse effects.
Conclusions
Mean hair count increases of 40% were observed in PSO-treated men at 24 weeks, whereas increases of 10% were observed in placebo-treated men (P < 0.001).
Limitations
Single-centre trial of 76 men over 24 weeks with no active comparator such as finasteride or minoxidil, and no data beyond six months; the 40% hair count gain is unusually large for this condition.
Outcomes Measured
Mean hair count increases of 40% were observed in PSO-treated men at 24 weeks, whereas increases of 10% were observed in placebo-treated men (P < 0.001).
Mean hair count increases of 40% were observed in PSO-treated men at 24 weeks, whereas increases of 10% were observed in placebo-treated men (P < 0.001).
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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