Compositions and Methods for Hair Regrowth

Abstract

The invention provides compositions and methods for promoting hair growth and reducing hair loss using bioactive extracts of curcumin, Withania somnifera, and saw palmetto. Tocotrienols, tocopherols, piperine extract, low molecular weight collagen, and hyaluronic acid are optionally included in the compositions and methods.

Description

[0001]Throughout this application various publications are referenced. The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the field of hair loss, and more particularly to the restoration of hair growth.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Hair loss (alopecia) is a widespread problem affecting about 80 million men and women in the United States alone according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The $7 billion hair loss industry is a testament to the significance and the scope of the issue. The most common alopecias are androgenic alopecia, telogen effluvium and alopecia areata.[0004]Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss in both sexes, affecting at least 50% of men by the age of 50 and up to 40% of women in mid-adult life. More recently AGA is being ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0026]The invention also provides a method of promoting hair growth and reducing hair loss by administering to a subject an effective amount of the composition of the invention, in a pharmaceutically suitable vehicle, for a time sufficient to promote hair regrowth and reduce hair loss in subjects exhibiting symptoms of alopecia.

Problems solved by technology

Loss of coverage, or hair thinning and hair loss, occurs when the normal cycling and growth of numerous follicles are disrupted.

The disruption can be widespread, sudden and synchronized causing immediately visible loss or it can be slow, steady and unsynchronized, becoming visible over a long period of time, only when 50% of the follicles have been affected.

Hair density and volume decreases when the hair growth cycle is disrupted and more follicles enter catagen and telogen prematurely, while not enough follicles enter anagen to replace them.

When hair follicles on the scalp are in an unbalanced disordered state, it compromises their function and manifests in hair growth and cycle abnormalities.

Subsequent to this immune system imbalance and collapsed IP, compromised follicles are subject to inflammatory attack.

However, with age, the body's ability to neutralize ROS decreases since production of antioxidant enzymes and endogenous antioxidants decreases with age while ROS generation increases with age resulting in increased oxidative stress on the body, including hair.

Compromised hair follicles are known to be particularly vulnerable to ROS from environmental stressors.

Similarly, in models of chronic stress, the neurogenic inflammatory pathways of SP were shown to increase ROS and decrease innate antioxidant defenses, leading to hair growth arrest and hair cycle arrest.

Thus, it appears that blocking androgens alone to combat hair loss is insufficient due to the presence of signaling and dysregulation of the immune balance downstream of the initial insult, triggering a cascade of numerous immune and inflammatory processes that can sustain the alopecic pathway.

The resulting neurogenic inflammation has been shown to cause hair growth arrest and promotion of follicle regression.

Some known side effects of minoxidil are dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing and swelling.

The topical version has the further side effects of causing rashes and skin irritations in some users.

Finasteride is FDA-approved for treatment of AGA only in men and has also been reported to cause side effects of erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction and loss of libido in a segment of users.

Pharmaceutical therapies such as minoxidil and finasteride achieve some success in treating hair loss, but ultimately only address single elements of a larger problem, not addressing downstream dysregulated signaling or the common pathway of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Additionally, they are associated with potential significant and debilitating side effects.

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