Clinical
Experience #1 Non-Randomized Uncontrolled Clinical Study to Determine
the Efficacy of a New Treatment for Androgenic Alopecia (AGA) Table
of Contents Introduction Background
Mechanism of Action Study Overview
Treatment Protocol Adverse Events
Inclusion Parameters Exclusion
Parameters Clinical Impression Legend Evaluation
Analysis Study Synopsis Exhibit
A: Clinical Study Statistics Exhibit B: Before and After
Photos Exhibit C: Before and After Photos Exhibit
D: Norwood Scale References
Introduction Androgenic
Alopecia, an autosomally mediated chronbiologic phenomenon, affects over 40 million
men as well as 20 million women in America.1 To date, there has been no safe,
efficacious method of treating and/or reversing the progression of this disorder
without presenting known negative side effects. There have been numerous proposed
treatments for baldness, but only a few have provided effective treatment over
a wide range of patients, and none have been based on naturally occurring substances.
Androgenic Alopecia (AGA) which describes male pattern alopecia, is considered
to be a genetically based disorder 2 and commonly characterized by thinning and
loss of hair in affected individuals within a given pattern on the scalp of the
head. This disorder progresses by causing the affected hair follicles to become
smaller and correspondingly, the hair becomes finer. Eventually, the fine hairs
may be lost and, thus, baldness results in the affected area. Hair has been classified
as being of at least two distinct types, terminal and vellus.3 A vellus hair is
short, fine, thin, and non-pigmented, with the bulb of the hair follicle seated
superficially in the dermis of the scalp. Terminal hairs are long, coarse and
pigmented, with the bulb of the follicle seated deep in the dermis. During the
thinning stage of alopecia, the hairs in the affected area are believed to transform
from terminal to vellus. It is this transformation to vellus hairs that is equated
to baldness. The core of the phenomenon is associated with structural miniaturization.
Back to Top
Background Androgenic Alopecia (AGA) as well
as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) are believed to result from a genetic predisposition
associated with 5alpha dihydrotestosterone4, which is a highly bio-active metabolite
of the androgenic hormone testosterone. Although these disorders are vastly different
in physiology and presentation, the etiology of each stems from this specific
hormonal metabolism5. In developing treatment for AGA, various hormones such as
estrogen and other anti androgens have been tested and found unsuitable due to
undesirable side effects6, such as feminization of male subjects. Therefore, it
would be desirable to find a treatment for AGA that minimizes the use of bio-effecting
drugs. It would be expected that natural ingredients will be biologically more
friendly to the user and suitable for long term use with minimal side effects.
Back to Top Mechanism
of Action This study contemplates the benefit of a natural or organic
composition and method of treatment for Androgenic Alopecia (AGA) in order to
reduce or arrest the onset of symptomatology associated with this specific disorder.
The preferred formulation employs beta-sitosterol, saw palmetto berry extract,
lecithin, inositol, phosphatidyl choline, niacin, and biotin in orally administered
dosages. The method of treatment is administering a dosage of the stated ingredients.
In one embodiment, the dosages may be combined in a single soft gel capsule. The
preferred quantities of each is as shown in the following Table 1:
| CAPSULE DOSAGE | | INGREDIENT | DOSAGE |
| | Beta Sitosterol | 50
mg | Saw Palmetto Berry Extract (Standardized 85% to 95%
liposterolic content) | 200 mg | | Lecithin | 50
mg | | Inositol | 100 mg | | Phophatidyl
Choline | 25 mg | | Niacin | 15
mg | | Biotin | 100 mcg |
The preferred
dosage is stated with respect to cholestatin 45% beta sitosterol. A dosage from
40 mg to 60 mg each twelve hours has been found most effective. According to the
capsule formulation of Table 1, a gel capsule containing 50 mg of beta sitosterol
is taken twice per day such as each morning and evening. The preferred dosage
is stated with respect to an extract of standardized 85 % to 95% liposterolic
content. A dosage of from 160 mg to 240 mg each twelve hours has been found most
effective. According to the capsule formulation of Table 1, a gel capsule containing
200 mg of standardized saw palmetto extract is taken twice per day such as each
morning and each evening. According to another aspect, the invention
provides a means for emulsifying beta sitosterol and saw palmetto extract, or
an emulsifier system component that aids the other components in penetrating the
stomach lining. A suitable emulsifier is lecithin, inositol, or preferably a mixture
of both. The preferred dosage of Table I is stated with respect to lecithin consisting
of 61-64% phosphatides, for which the dosage is 50 mg each twelve hours. The preferred
dosage of inositol is 100 mg each twelve hours. These emulsifier system components
can be varied in dosage by a large factor without harm or toxicity.
As means of protecting follicles from degeneration due to oxidation, free radicals
and metabolic by-products, the treatment provides and antioxidant component such
as phosphatidyl choline. An orally administered dosage of 25 mg per twelve hours
provides a general antioxidant prophylactic effect throughout the body.
A vasodilator component is also provided, wherein preferred elements are niacin,
biotin, and preferably both. Niacin, or vitamin B3, generally promotes circulation
and is beneficial in maintaining and promoting circulation to the follicles. D-Biotin,
or vitamin H, compliments the effects of niacin. These dosages are approximate
and may be varied by a large factor such as 50% or more. The shell of
a gel capsule may be formed of gelatin, glycerin, water, titanium dioxide, and
such other pigments as may be desired. The preferred dosage of Table I provides
a suitable quantity of each ingredient for treatment at twelve hour intervals.
In the dosages and treatments, beta sitosterol and saw palmetto berry
extract are considered the active ingredients. Their disclosed dosage is suitable
for achieving effective treatment with intermittent administration approximately
at twelve hour intervals. The remaining components are administered in a mixture
with the active ingredients for internal administration and may be considered
supplemental to enhance the action of the active ingredients. The formulation
is believed to function on a molecular level via competitive mechanical inhibition
of the T1 and T2 5alphaDHT cellular and nuclear androgen receptor sites found
within succeptible scalp hair follicles. Unbound 5alphaDHT is thus metabolized
out of the body via primary excretion pathways without triggering the secondary
and pathological cascade of events associated with this disorder. Back
to Top Study Overview
The goal of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of a
naturally derived oral formulation (HairGenesisT) containing known anti-androgenic
components, in arresting and/or reversing onset of typical Androgenic Alopecia
(AGA). Statistical analysis to be determined by gross clinical evaluation, patient
reporting, and baseline, intra-study, and end point photographic evidence.
Back to Top Treatment
Protocol Orally, 1 softgel b.i.d. (twice a day). Participants to
be followed over the course of six months time period. Participants to report
to clinic one time per month during this period for follow up investigator evaluation.
Back to Top Adverse
Events Any participant adverse event reported during
this study to be fully documented per standard protocol parameters. Back
to Top Inclusion
Parameters Males and females between the ages of
18 and 55 who are experiencing Androgenic Alopecia as determined by the Norwood
Class Scale, via clinical investigator evaluation. Back
to Top Exclusion
Parameters
- Participants with undetermined reason for hairloss
- Participants using other medications on the scalp
- Participants
with no family history of hair loss
- Participants with red, inflamed,
infected, irritated or painful scalp
- Participants who have been
diagnosed with alopecia aereota, lupus, erythematosus, or other non-male pattern
alopecia.
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Clinical Impression Legend
| S=SUBJECTIVE | S-1 | | Follow
up evaluation | | S-2 | | Other |
| O=OBJECTIVE | 0-1 | | Hairloss
continuing, no benefit | | 0-2 | | Hairloss
arrested, no further loss | | 0-3 | | Hairloss
reversed, noticeable thickening | | P=PLAN | P-1 | | Continuing
treatment | | P-2 | | Discontinuing
treatment | | P-3 | | Modifying
treatment |
Back to Top
Evaluation Analysis (see accompanying statistics)
Incidence and degree of side effects, If any: 0% of participants
reported drug interaction or side effects. Incidence and degree of
adverse events, If any: 0% of participants reported any adverse events.
Reduction in rate of hairloss, If any: 100% of participants reported
hairloss arrested, no further loss. Aesthetically meaningful change
In caliber of affected scalp hair, If any, as evidenced by clinical photography,
patient reporting and Investigator clinical Impression: 84% of participants
reported hair loss reversed, noticeable thickening via continued treatment.
Dramatic thickening reported: 0% of participants reported dramatic
thickening. Back to Top
Study Synopsis This research
study over a six month period did not reveal any side effects, drug interactions
or adverse events. Based on the data gathered, all participants (100%) in the
study reported an arresting of symptomatology commonly associated with Androgenic
Alopecia and 84% reported an aesthetically meaningful change in the caliber of
affected scalp hair. These findings were determined via investigator observation,
baseline, intra study, and endpoint photographic evidence, as well as patient
reporting. This study suggests a highly efficacious and safe treatment methodology.
Based on these highly positive findings, further study is clearly indicated and
presently underway. Back to Top
Exhibit A: Clinical Study Statistics 
Back to Top Exhibit
B: Before and After Photos 
Back to Top
Exhibit C: Before and After Photos 
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Exhibit D: Norwood Scale 
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References The Bald Truth, Fischer, David,
US News and World Report, v123n5, pp 44-50 August 4, 1997 His Health:
The Buzz on Baldness, Leaf, Clifton, American Health vl5, n9 November, 1996
pp 34-35 HAIR! From personal Statement to Personal Problem, Pine,
Devera, FDA Consumer, December 1991 25(10): pp 20-23 Management
of Alopecia, Source: UTMB Dept of Otolaryngology Grand Rounds Presentation,
September 9, 1998. Facility: Karen Calhoun, MD Resident: Kyle Kennedy, MD
Alopecia, (Baldness), Source: UTMB Dept of Otolaryngology Grand Rounds,
April 30, 1997, Resident Physician: Chris Thompson, MD, Faculty: Karen Calhoun,
MD, FACS, Series Editor: Francis B. Quinn, Jr., MD, FACS Management
of Alopecia, Source: UTMB Dept of Otolaryngology Grand Rounds Presentation,
September 9, 1998. Facility: Karen Calhoun, MD Resident: Kyle Kennedy, MD
The Bald Truth, Fischer, David, US News and World Report, v123n5,
pp 44-50 August 4, 1997 Management of Alopecia, Source: UTMB Dept
of Otolaryngology Grand Rounds Presentation, September 9, 1998. Facility:
Karen Calhoun, MD Resident: Kyle Kennedy, MD Estrogen-induced gynecomastia
following use of estrogen-containing local agents. Schmidt KU: Wagner G; Mensing
H, Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 112: 23, 1987 Jun 5, 9268 Back
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