Hair Growth Activity of Trichosanthes dioica R. Leaves

Trichosanthes dioica R. (Cucurbitaceae), an important perennial herb found throughout the Asia and is figured high in Indian medicine system for its versatile therapeutic and prophylactic properties. To justify its traditional claim, hair growth activity was performed with ethanol and aqueous extracts on wistar albino rats using minoxidil as standard. The extracts were formulated as 5% ointments and formulations were applied topically on the denuded back of rats. Both formulations exhibited prominent hair growth activity as compared to control group (p<0.05) as well as minoxidil treated group. The number of hairs and hair length were also measured which were more significant for formulations. Formulation having 5% aqueous extract found more potent than other groups. The results of this study revealed the presence of strong hair growth potential in the leaves of Trichosanthes dioica R.