In vitro 5α-reductase inhibition by selected Ayurvedic herbs for androgenic disorders

Background: Androgenic disorders such as androgenic alopecia is driven by elevated Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels, which are regulated by the enzyme 5α-reductase. The inhibition of 5α-reductase can thus be a therapeutic strategy for managing such disorders. This study explores the 5α-reductase inhibitory potential of selected Ayurvedic herbs, namely, Prunus dulcis Mill. (PD), Aloe barbadensis Mill. (AB), Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Wettst. (BM), Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. (GG), Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (EO), and Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk (EA). Materials and Methods: Hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts of the selected herbs were prepared and tested for their efficacy in inhibiting 5α-reductase activity. Finasteride, a known 5α-reductase inhibitor, was kept as positive control. The enzymatic activity was measured by monitoring the consumption of NADPH, the cofactor required for the conversion of Testosterone (T) to DHT. A decrease in NADPH consumption indicates effective inhibition of 5α-reductase activity. The extracts were evaluated based on this biochemical method. Results: EA has shown the highest 5α-reductase inhibitory activity, followed by EO, PD, BM, GG, and AB in decreasing order. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that the selected Ayurvedic herbs possess significant 5α-reductase inhibitory properties, with EA showing the highest potential. These findings suggest that these herbs could be incorporated into hair care formulations and other therapeutic applications aimed at managing androgenic alopecia.