Sweet solution for baldness? Stevia compound promotes hair growth

Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness or female pattern hair loss, is one of the most common causes of hair loss in men and women. While topical minoxidil is an approved treatment, its limited ability to dissolve in water and penetrate the skin reduces its effectiveness. Researchers report in Advanced healthcare materials Researchers found that stevioside, a natural sweetener extracted from the stevia plant, can help improve the drug’s absorption through the skin.

In tests in a rat model of alopecia, a dissolvable patch containing both stevioside and minoxidil successfully stimulated hair follicles to return to the anagen phase, resulting in new hair growth.

“Using stevioside to enhance minoxidil delivery represents a promising step toward more effective and natural treatments for hair loss, potentially benefiting millions around the world,” said co-author Living Kang, Ph.D., of the University of Sydney in Australia.

Androgenetic alopecia develops gradually over time and is influenced by genetic and hormonal factors. This condition occurs when hair follicles become increasingly sensitive to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone derived from testosterone. This sensitivity causes the follicles to shrink, resulting in shorter, finer hair strands until they eventually stop growing. Although the pattern and progression differ between men and women, the biological mechanism is similar.

Currently, treatment options are limited, with minoxidil being one of the few widely approved topical treatments. Minoxidil works by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow around hair follicles, which can prolong the growth phase of the hair cycle and stimulate the growth of new strands. However, because the drug does not easily pass through the outer layer of skin and dissolves poorly in water, its full potential is often not achieved. Patients must apply it continuously for several months before seeing results, and even then, response varies from person to person.

This challenge has prompted researchers to explore new ways to improve how minoxidil reaches the scalp. Enhancing drug permeation into the skin can make treatments more efficient, reduce frequency of use, and possibly reduce side effects associated with overuse. The discovery that stevioside can act as a natural absorption enhancer offers a new direction for scientists seeking to improve the safety and effectiveness of hair loss treatments.