Evaluation of hair growth potentiation activity of hibiscus rosa sinensis in disturbed circadian rhythm

Rupture Background: Alopecia is an age old problem affecting humans since dawn of civilization. While there are commercially available treatment, it’s not for the mass population. The current millennials follow an unhealthy lifestyle and and increasingly rely on synthetic hair products which only aggravates the hair growth and hair fall disorders. This study was conducted to observe the impact of one such factor and determine whether extracts of Hibiscus rosa sinensis can be used to treat such problems. Objective: • To evaluate the hair growth potentiation activity of Hibiscus rosa sinensis flower on wistar albino rats • To evaluate the hair growth potentiation activity of Hibiscus rosa sinensis leaves on wistar albino rats • To evaluate the hair growth potentiation activity of minoxidil • To evaluate the effects of altering the circadian rhythm of wistar albino rats on hair growth • To compare the efficacy of Hibiscus rosa sinensis leaves, Hibiscus rosa sinensis flowers and minoxidil in normal acclimatized rats and rats with disturbed circadian rhythm. Method: After dividing the animals to two groups, they are acclimatized to different environmental conditions. After 7 days, the dorsal skin of the rats is shaved and divided into 4 regions. In both the groups of animals one region kept as control and remaining 3 regions are treated with minoxidil and Hibiscus rosa sinensis extruacts for 30 days. Hair samples were taken at regular intervals and recorded. Results: Hibiscus rosa sinensis leaves extract was more effective in promoting hair growth then the flower extract while minoxidil treated region recorded maximum hair growth. Rats with disturbed circadian rhythm had delayed hair growth initiation as compared to normal rats however the difference was statistically insignificant. After hair growth initiation, the hair growth trend observed in rats with disturbed circadian rhythm was identical to that of normal rats. Conclusion: The active principle of Hibiscus rosa sinensis extract is not clear but with positive results in hair growth, it has a great potential in the drug discovery process with formulae’s derived from its active principle can be used to treat the hair disorder that has plagued mankind.