Clinical evaluation of hair regrowth tonics containing oleanolic acid

To evaluate the hair regrowth effect of oleanolic acid, a well controlled half side test was conducted at apparently normal sites in 14 males with alopecia praematura. The hair regrowth tonic formulated with 22.5% swertia extract containing oleanolic acid and swertiamarin was supplied by the Institute of Applied Biochemistry. In the active sites, the number of hairs in the area of 1 cm circle on the scalp were significantly increased after 4 months administration of this tonic. In placebo sites, however, the number of hairs were not significantly increased. The clinical effects were marked in 3 patients. No severe side effect was seen except for itching in 1 patient. We confirmed this hair regrowth tonic was effective and safe for the treatment of alopecia praematura.