Mibelle Biochemistry finds hair loss reducer in basil extract

We spoke with Dr Daniel Schmid, Head of Research, at the in-cosmetics event in Barcelona and he explained all about the company’s new RootBioTec HO product, launched at the show.

“The RootBioTec HO is designed for hair oils, serums and conditioners as it stimulates hair papilla cells and reduces hair loss,” ​he tells CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com.

“It strongly inhibits the activity of 5α reductase II - the enzyme that promotes the conversion of testosterone to DHT, ultimately stimulating dermal papilla cellsand helps renew hair activity in those that suffer from androgenic alopecia.”​

Testing​

According to a Mibelle Biochemistry study, by starving the cells that are responsible for hair growth, RootBioTec HO improved their proliferation by 23 %, indicating a hair regrowth effect.

Also, in a clinical study conducted for two months on volunteers with mild to moderate hair loss, RootBioTec HO showed the capacity to reduce hair loss by 26 % after the first month and 31 % following the second month.

The new active is based on an extract from a hairy root culture derived from basil, and the ingredients supplier’s data suggests that RootBioTec will prevent hair loss and enable users to regain fuller and denser hair.

For the production of the active, Mibelle Biochemistry developed a novel sustainable technique to produce high amounts of the active compounds of basil in bioreactors.

The ‘hairy roots’ technology is a type of plant tissue culture that is used to produce high quality, phytogenic compounds of pharmaceutical value.

Fighting hair loss​

Basil is known to contain high concentrations of essential oils and potent antioxidants with anti-ageing, anti-cancer, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties.

Because of these valuable components, basil is also used for its medicinal properties in Ayurveda, the traditional medicinal system of India.

Hair loss affects both women and men. In 95 % of all cases of hair loss occurring exclusively on the head, the cause is an increased sensitivity of the hair follicles to the androgenic hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Androgenic alopecia, which is the name of the condition, is hereditary, permanent and continues as one gets older.