Hair Loss Treatment Provillus

Men's Provillus - Ingredients

Active Ingredients

Minoxidil 5% is the only FDA-approved topical ingredient clinically

proven to regrow hair in men and women. Minoxidil is a "potassium

channel agonist." It contains the chemical structure of Nitric oxide (NO),

a blood vessel dilator, and may be a nitric oxide agonist. This may

explain Minoxidil's ability to stimulate hair growth and treat hair loss.

Since Minoxidil is a nitric oxide related compound it was suspected

to act via activation of Guanylate cyclase, an enzyme involved in

vasodilation, however there are no reports of cGMP or PKG activation

to date.

Azelaic Acid 5% (pronounced az-uh-LAY-ic) is a simple molecule

( HOOC(CH2)7COOH, CAS Number 123-99-9, also known as 1,

9-Nonanedioic acid) that is found in some whole grains and in trace

amounts in human bodies. Although it is an acid, it is an extremely

weak acid - much weaker than vinegar. A research report by

Stamatiadis in 1988 suggested that azelaic acid was a strong type

I 5-alpha reductase (5-AR) inhibitor.

Active Ingredients

Vitamin B6

is one of the B-complex, water-soluble vitamin.

It exists

in three major chemical forms: pyridoxine, pyridoxal,

and pyridoxamine. Vitamin B6 is very essential for body functions

and its deficiency can lead to many disorders including hair

loss. [1] It is essential for nerve function, immune function,

protein digestion and production of red blood cells. Vitamin

B6 promotes hair growth and prevents hair loss. [2]

Biotin

is also one of the Vitamin B complex necessary for fat and

carbohydrate metabolism. It is essential for healthy skin, hair and

nails and deficiency state has been shown to cause hair loss. [3]

Magnesium

, an important mineral is essential for chemical

reactions

in the body including energy metabolism, protein

synthesis,

neuromuscular transmission, bone structure and hair growth. [4]

Zinc

is an essential mineral necessary for a healthy immune system and proper

functioning of enzymes. It is needed for cell division and hence important for skin,

nails and hair. Studies report that zinc causes increase on hair density and reverses

hair loss. [5] [6] [7]

Saw Palmetto

extract has been shown to reduce DHT and 5 alpha-reductase. It

actually blocks the receptor sites that are required for the absorption of DHT. It

promotes hair growth by blocking the culprit DHT. [8] [9]

Nettle root

blocks 2 enzymes, 5a-reductase, which makes the dihydrotestosterone

(DHT) and aromatase enzyme, which makes estrogens. It also possesses

antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic and antiulcer activity. [10] [11] [12]

Pumpkin

(Cucurbita Maxima): The oil extract from pumpkin seeds has long been

used as hair supplement. The extract has shown activity against testosterone,

therefore has potential in preventing hair loss. [13]

Eleuthero

Formerly Siberian Ginseng, (Glandular) is a member of the ginseng family,

though it is of a different genus than other popular ginsengs such as the Panax

variety. Like other ginseng, it had been traditionally used for healthy hair, for

increasing endurance and helps restore concentration. The extract decreases

testosterone levels in the body along with other stress hormones. [14]

Uva-Ursi

extract has antimicrobial activity. [15] The herb neutralizes acidity in the

urine, increasing urine flow, therefore reducing bloating & water retention, making it

beneficial for hair growth.[16] [17]

Muria Puama

plays an important role in energy metabolism, protein synthesis,

neuromuscular transmission bone structure and hair growth for both men and women.

Also help with stress management, nervous system stimulation, virility, and overall

health. [18] [19] [20] [21]

Reference

1. Prendiville, Manfredi. Skin signs of nutritional disorders. Semin Dermatol. 1992

Mar; 11(1):88-97.

2. Brzezinska-Wcislo L. Evaluation of vitamin B6 and calcium pantothenate

effectiveness on hair growth from clinical and trichographic aspects for treatment

of diffuse alopecia in women. Wiad Lek. 2001; 54(1-2):11-8.

3. Charles et al. Biotin-responsive alopecia and developmental regression. Lancet.

1979 Jul 21; 2(8134):118-20.

4. Cotton, Porters, Spruit. Magnesium content of the hair in alopecia areata atopica.

Dermatologica. 1976; 152(1):60-2.

5. Plonka, Handjiski, Popik, Michalczyk, Paus. Zinc as an ambivalent but potent

modulator of murine hair growth in vivo- preliminary observations. Exp Dermatol.

2005 Nov; 14(11):844-53.

6. Berger et al. The effects of minoxidil, 1% pyrithione zinc and a combination of both

on hair density: a randomized controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 2003 Aug;149(2):354-62.

7. Neve, Bhatti, Soulsby, Kincey, Taylor. Reversal of Hair Loss following Vertical

Gastroplasty when Treated with Zinc Sulphate. Obes Surg. 1996 Feb;6(1):63-65.

8. Sinclair, Mallari, Tate. Sensitization to saw palmetto and minoxidil in separate

topical extemporaneous treatments for androgenetic alopecia. Australas J Dermatol.

2002 Nov;43(4):311-2.

9. Prager, Bickett, French, Marcovici. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled

trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-

reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. J Altern Complement Med. 2002

Apr;8(2):143-52.

10. Safarinejad MR. Urtica dioica for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a

prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. J Herb

Pharmacother. 2005;5(4):1-11.

11. Daher, Baroody, Baroody.Effect of Urtica dioica extract intake upon blood lipid

profile in the rats. Fitoterapia. 2006 Apr;77(3):183-8.

12. Gulcin et al. Antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiulcer and analgesic activities of nettle

(Urtica dioica L.). J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Feb;90(2-3):205-15.

13. Tsai et al. Pumpkin seed oil and phytosterol-F can block testosterone/prazosin-

induced prostate growth in rats. Urol Int. 2006;77(3):269-74.

14. Gaffney, Hugel, Rich. The effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus and Panax

ginseng on steroidal hormone indices of stress and lymphocyte subset numbers in

endurance athletes. Life Sci. 2001 Dec 14;70(4):431-42.

15. Kruszewska, Zareba, Tyski. Examination of antimicrobial activity of selected non-

antibiotic drugs. Acta Pol Pharm. 2004 Dec;61 Suppl:18-21.

16. Yarnell E. Botanical medicines for the urinary tract. World J Urol. 2002 Nov;20(5):

285-93.

17. Schindler et al. Urinary excretion and metabolism of arbutin after oral

administration of Arctostaphylos uvae ursi extract as film-coated tablets and aqueous

solution in healthy humans. J Clin Pharmacol. 2002 Aug;42(8):920-7.

18. Mendes, Carlini. Brazilian plants as possible adaptogens: An

ethnopharmacological survey of books edited in Brazil. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Sep

1; [Epub ahead of print]

19. Siqueira et al. Neuroprotective effects of Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham

(Olacaceae) on oxygen and glucose deprivation induced damage in rat hippocampal

slices. Life Sci. 2004 Aug 27;75(15):1897-906.

20. Siqueira et al. Ptychopetalum olacoides, a traditional Amazonian "nerve tonic",

possesses anticholinesterase activity. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2003 Jun;75(3):

645-50.