The first clinical trial of topical application of procyanidin B-2 to investigate its potential as a hair growing agent

Procyanidin B-2 is a compound we have identified in apple which acts as a g rowth-promoting factor on murine hair epithelial cells. This report describ es our investigation of the hair-growing effects of 1% procyanidin B-2 toni c after sequential use for 4 months, A double-blind clinical trial was perf ormed, involving a total of 29 subjects (procyanidin B-2, 19 men; placebo, 10 men), No adverse side effects were observed in either group. In the proc yanidin B-2 group, 78.9% showed an increased mean value of hair diameter, w hereas only 30.0% in the placebo group showed any increase (p < 0.02, Fishe r's exact probability test). The increased ratio of hairs measuring more th an 40 pm in diameter after 4 months of procyanidin B-2 treatment was signif icantly higher than that of the placebo controls (p < 0.05, two-sample t-te st), The increase in number of total hairs in the designated scalp area (0. 25 cm(2)) of procyanidin B-2 subjects after a 4 month trial was significant ly greater than that of the placebo controls (procyanidin B-2, 3.67 +/- 4.0 9 (mean +/- SD)/0.25 cm(2); placebo, -2.54 +/- 4.00/0.25 cm(2); p < 0.001, two-sample t-test), Procyanidin B-2 therapy shows potential as a promising cure for male pattern baldness, Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.