Therapeutic Potential of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Extract for Hair Health Enhancement: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

2025-02-21
Nutrients 17(5)
- Jihyun Lee
- Yongxun Jin
- Xinrui Zhang
- Myoungrae Kim
- Ayoung Koh
- Shuyi Zhou
- Changhyun Lee
- Minji Seo
- Shinjae Kim
- Suye Jo
- Youngjoo Kim
- Seri Kwon
- Kyuhan Kim
- Chanyeong Heo

PubMed: 40077637
DOI: 10.3390/nu17050767

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: 100 eligible adults aged 19-60 years
Methods: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 340 mL/day of test product for 24 weeks
Blinding: Double-blind
Duration: 24 weeks
Funding: Unclear

Rigorous Journal

Background: Hair health critically influences both aesthetic appearance and psychological well-being. Existing treatments often show limited efficacy and may cause side effects. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP), known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has emerged as a promising botanical agent, although clinical evidence regarding its hair health benefits remains limited. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of GP extract in improving hair parameters through a randomized controlled trial. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 100 eligible adults aged 19-60 years who were randomly allocated to either the GP or placebo group. Participants consumed 340 mL/day of the test product for 24 weeks. The primary outcomes included hair elasticity, density, diameter, glossiness, and subjective satisfaction. Safety was evaluated through laboratory tests and adverse event monitoring. Results: After 24 weeks, the GP group showed a threefold increase in hair elasticity and density and a fourfold increase in hair diameter compared to the placebo group. The subjective satisfaction scores corroborated these findings: the GP users reported better outcomes in terms of reducing hair damage and dryness. No significant differences in hair glossiness were observed based on the instrumental and visual assessments (p > 0.05). The safety evaluations revealed no severe adverse events. All the safety evaluation metrics demonstrated no significant abnormalities. Conclusions: This study provides compelling evidence of the efficacy of GP extract in enhancing hair health, demonstrating both significant functional improvements and an excellent safety profile. These findings substantiate its potential as a promising functional food ingredient for comprehensive hair care interventions.

Research Insights

jiaogulan→Improved Hair Glossiness
No significant differences in hair glossiness were observed based on the instrumental and visual assessments (p > 0.05).
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
340 mL/day
jiaogulan→Improved Subjective Satisfaction
The subjective satisfaction scores corroborated these findings: the GP users reported better outcomes in terms of reducing hair damage and dryness.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
340 mL/day
jiaogulan→Increased Hair Density
After 24 weeks, the GP group showed a threefold increase in hair elasticity and density and a fourfold increase in hair diameter compared to the placebo group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
340 mL/day
jiaogulan→Increased Hair Diameter
After 24 weeks, the GP group showed a threefold increase in hair elasticity and density and a fourfold increase in hair diameter compared to the placebo group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
340 mL/day
jiaogulan→Increased Hair Elasticity
After 24 weeks, the GP group showed a threefold increase in hair elasticity and density and a fourfold increase in hair diameter compared to the placebo group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
340 mL/day

Adverse Events Reported

jiaogulan→Overall tolerability
The safety evaluations revealed no severe adverse events. All the safety evaluation metrics demonstrated no significant abnormalities.
Finding
Reported