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Pumpkin seed oil vs. minoxidil 5% topical foam for the treatment of female pattern hair loss: A randomized comparative trial.

  • 2021-02-12
  • Journal of cosmetic dermatology 20(9)
    • Ibrahim M Ibrahim
    • Mohamed S Hasan
    • Khaled I Elsabaa
    • Mohamed L Elsaie

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 30
Population
Patients with female pattern hair loss (FPHL)
Methods
Randomly assigned to pumpkin seed oil (n = 30) or minoxidil 5% foam (n = 30) for 3 months; evaluated clinically and dermoscopically at baseline, at one and half months, and at end of study
Duration
3 months

Background

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) is an annual climber plant, and its seeds have considerable amount of oil with nutritional and medicinal importance.

Aim

The present study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of pumpkin seed oil (PSO) in the treatment of female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and compare its effects with minoxidil 5% foam.

Methods

Patients with FPHL were randomly assigned to pumpkin seed oil (n = 30; group A) or minoxidil 5% foam (n = 30; group B) for a period of 3 months. Patients were evaluated clinically and dermoscopically at baseline, at one and half months, and at the end of the 3-month study.

Results

Among group A (pumpkin seed oil) candidates, a significant decrease was observed in hair shaft diversity before and after treatment (30.5 ± 6.2%, 24.0 ± 4.02, P < .001, respectively) as well as in the vellus hairs (22.5 ± 4.9, 15.8 ± 2.2, P < .001, respectively). Upright regrowing hairs significantly increased from (0.13 ± 0.5) before treatment to (0.9 ± 1.0) after treatment (P < .001). In group B (minoxidil applying) candidates, a significant decrease was observed in hair shaft diversity before and after treatment (31.5 ± 6.3%, 21.3 ± 2.2, P < .001, respectively) as well as in the vellus hairs (24.7 ± 6.4, 19.5 ± 5.4, P = .02, respectively). Conclusion Findings of the present trial provide evidence of a promising potential role of PSO in treating FPHL.

Research Insights

  • Pumpkin→Increased Regrowing Hair Count

    Upright regrowing hairs significantly increased from (0.13 ± 0.5) before treatment to (0.9 ± 1.0) after treatment (P < .001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Pumpkin→Reduced Hair Shaft Diversity

    Among group A (pumpkin seed oil) candidates, a significant decrease was observed in hair shaft diversity before and after treatment (30.5 ± 6.2%, 24.0 ± 4.02, P < .001, respectively)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Pumpkin→Reduced Vellus Hair

    as well as in the vellus hairs (22.5 ± 4.9, 15.8 ± 2.2, P < .001, respectively)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
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