{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,8]],"date-time":"2026-07-08T16:29:42Z","timestamp":1783528182905,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,21]],"date-time":"2025-02-21T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1740096000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Food Functionality Evaluation Program","award":["2023R1A2C100596312"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["2023R1A2C100596312"]}]},{"name":"Food Functionality Evaluation Program","award":["2018R1A6A1A03025124"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["2018R1A6A1A03025124"]}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100003725","name":"National Research Foundation of Korea","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["2023R1A2C100596312"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["2023R1A2C100596312"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100003725","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100003725","name":"National Research Foundation of Korea","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["2018R1A6A1A03025124"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["2018R1A6A1A03025124"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100003725","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"name":"National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)","award":["2023R1A2C100596312"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["2023R1A2C100596312"]}]},{"name":"National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)","award":["2018R1A6A1A03025124"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["2018R1A6A1A03025124"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Nutrients"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Hair health critically influences both aesthetic appearance and psychological well-being. Existing treatments often show limited efficacy and may cause side effects. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP), known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has emerged as a promising botanical agent, although clinical evidence regarding its hair health benefits remains limited. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of GP extract in improving hair parameters through a randomized controlled trial. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 100 eligible adults aged 19\u201360 years who were randomly allocated to either the GP or placebo group. Participants consumed 340 mL\/day of the test product for 24 weeks. The primary outcomes included hair elasticity, density, diameter, glossiness, and subjective satisfaction. Safety was evaluated through laboratory tests and adverse event monitoring. Results: After 24 weeks, the GP group showed a threefold increase in hair elasticity and density and a fourfold increase in hair diameter compared to the placebo group. The subjective satisfaction scores corroborated these findings: the GP users reported better outcomes in terms of reducing hair damage and dryness. No significant differences in hair glossiness were observed based on the instrumental and visual assessments (p &gt; 0.05). The safety evaluations revealed no severe adverse events. All the safety evaluation metrics demonstrated no significant abnormalities. Conclusions: This study provides compelling evidence of the efficacy of GP extract in enhancing hair health, demonstrating both significant functional improvements and an excellent safety profile. These findings substantiate its potential as a promising functional food ingredient for comprehensive hair care interventions.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/nu17050767","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,21]],"date-time":"2025-02-21T10:12:11Z","timestamp":1740132731000},"page":"767","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":6,"title":["Therapeutic Potential of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Extract for Hair Health Enhancement: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Jihyun","family":"Lee","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Easy Hydrogen Corporation, Jeju 63196, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yongxun","family":"Jin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea"},{"name":"Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5615-6341","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Xinrui","family":"Zhang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea"},{"name":"Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Myoungrae","family":"Kim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Korean Skin Research Center, Seongnam 13558, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0004-3275-5683","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ayoung","family":"Koh","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biological Engineering, Graduate School of Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Shuyi","family":"Zhou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea"},{"name":"Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Changhyun","family":"Lee","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Easy Hydrogen Corporation, Jeju 63196, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Minji","family":"Seo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Korean Skin Research Center, Seongnam 13558, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Shinjae","family":"Kim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Easy Hydrogen Corporation, Jeju 63196, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Suye","family":"Jo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Korean Skin Research Center, Seongnam 13558, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5580-4338","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Youngjoo","family":"Kim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Seri","family":"Kwon","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Korean Skin Research Center, Seongnam 13558, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8376-9090","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kyuhan","family":"Kim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dermatology, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul 05368, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9003-7365","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Chanyeong","family":"Heo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea"},{"name":"Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea"},{"name":"Korean Skin Research Center, Seongnam 13558, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,21]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"79","DOI":"10.1001\/jamadermatol.2022.4867","article-title":"Evaluation of the Safety and Effectiveness of Nutritional Supplements for Treating Hair Loss: A Systematic Review","volume":"159","author":"Drake","year":"2023","journal-title":"JAMA Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kesika, P., Sivamaruthi, B.S., Thangaleela, S., Bharathi, M., and Chaiyasut, C. (2023). Role and Mechanisms of Phytochemicals in Hair Growth and Health. Pharmaceuticals, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/ph16020206"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.1111\/ics.12286","article-title":"The impact of oxidative stress on hair","volume":"37","author":"Trueb","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int. J. Cosmet. Sci."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mai, Q., Han, Y., Cheng, G., Ma, R., Yan, Z., Chen, X., Yu, G., Chen, T., and Zhang, S. (2023). Innovative Strategies for Hair Regrowth and Skin Visualization. Pharmaceutics, 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/pharmaceutics15041201"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"880","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jaad.2024.06.097","article-title":"Efficacy and safety of deuruxolitinib, an oral selective Janus kinase inhibitor, in adults with alopecia areata: Results from the Phase 3 randomized, controlled trial (THRIVE-AA1)","volume":"91","author":"King","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Am. Acad. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1995","DOI":"10.1111\/jocd.15825","article-title":"Evaluation of platelet-rich plasma plus basic fibroblast growth factor combined with minoxidil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: A randomized controlled trial","volume":"22","author":"Wu","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Cosmet. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"S36","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jaad.2023.05.004","article-title":"Medical and procedural treatment of androgenetic alopecia\u2014Where are we?","volume":"89","author":"Ly","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Am. Acad. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"109","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jaad.2020.02.033","article-title":"Autologous cell-based therapy for male and female pattern hair loss using dermal sheath cup cells: A randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded dose-finding clinical study","volume":"83","author":"Tsuboi","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Am. Acad. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3759","DOI":"10.1111\/jocd.14537","article-title":"Treatment options for androgenetic alopecia: Efficacy, side effects, compliance, financial considerations, and ethics","volume":"20","author":"Nestor","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Cosmet. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2360063","DOI":"10.1080\/14756366.2024.2360063","article-title":"New natural protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors from Gynostemma pentaphyllum","volume":"39","author":"Wang","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Enzym. Inhib. Med. Chem."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"117186","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jep.2023.117186","article-title":"Saponins derived from Gynostemma pentaphyllum regulate triglyceride and cholesterol metabolism and the mechanisms: A review","volume":"319","author":"Xie","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Ethnopharmacol."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"721","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijbiomac.2020.05.274","article-title":"Structural characteristics and anti-tumor\/-oxidant activity in vitro of an acidic polysaccharide from Gynostemma pentaphyllum","volume":"161","author":"Yu","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int. J. Biol. Macromol."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"484","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijbiomac.2019.12.213","article-title":"Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of an anti-diabetic polysaccharide extracted from Gynostemma pentaphyllum herb","volume":"145","author":"Wang","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int. J. Biol. Macromol."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kovale, L., Lee, S., Song, M., Lee, J., Son, H.J., Sung, Y.K., Kwack, M.H., Choe, W., Kang, I., and Kim, S.S. (2024). Gynostemma pentaphyllum Hydrodistillate and Its Major Component Damulin B Promote Hair Growth-Inducing Properties In Vivo and In Vitro via the Wnt\/beta-Catenin Pathway in Dermal Papilla Cells. Nutrients, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu16070985"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"648","DOI":"10.1111\/jocd.15963","article-title":"Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino extract induces hair growth and exhibits an anti-graying effect via multiple mechanisms","volume":"23","author":"Liu","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Cosmet. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"869","DOI":"10.1089\/jmf.2021.0156","article-title":"A Comprehensive Review of Natural Alternatives for Treatment of Alopecia with an Overview of Market Products","volume":"25","author":"Youssef","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Med. Food"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Song, M., Kim, M., Hoang, D.H., Kovale, L.M., Lee, J., Kim, Y., Lee, C., Hong, J., Park, S., and Choe, W. (2022). A Hydrodistillate of Gynostemma pentaphyllum and Damulin B Prevent Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity In Vitro and In Vivo via Regulation of AMPKalpha1 Transcription. Nutrients, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu14234997"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4771","DOI":"10.1002\/ptr.7945","article-title":"NPLC0393 from Gynostemma pentaphyllum ameliorates Alzheimer\u2019s disease-like pathology in mice by targeting protein phosphatase magnesium-dependent 1A phosphatase","volume":"37","author":"Lv","year":"2023","journal-title":"Phytother. Res."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"13384","DOI":"10.1080\/21655979.2022.2066749","article-title":"Gypenosides regulate autophagy through Sirt1 pathway and the anti-inflammatory mechanism of mitochondrial autophagy in systemic lupus erythematosus","volume":"13","author":"Ke","year":"2022","journal-title":"Bioengineered"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"113744","DOI":"10.1016\/j.phytochem.2023.113744","article-title":"Dammarane-type saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum and their anti-aging activities via up-regulating mitochondria related proteins","volume":"213","author":"Liang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Phytochemistry"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3069","DOI":"10.1002\/ptr.7801","article-title":"Effects of gypenoside L-containing Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract on fatigue and physical performance: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial","volume":"37","author":"Ahn","year":"2023","journal-title":"Phytother. Res."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"731","DOI":"10.1002\/fsn3.2701","article-title":"Prebiotic properties of jiaogulan in the context of gut microbiome","volume":"10","author":"Huang","year":"2022","journal-title":"Food Sci. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"198","DOI":"10.1016\/j.phymed.2018.05.002","article-title":"Supplementation with extract of Gynostemma pentaphyllum leaves reduces anxiety in healthy subjects with chronic psychological stress: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial","volume":"52","author":"Choi","year":"2019","journal-title":"Phytomedicine"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Choi, J.Y., Boo, M.Y., and Boo, Y.C. (2024). Can Plant Extracts Help Prevent Hair Loss or Promote Hair Growth? A Review Comparing Their Therapeutic Efficacies, Phytochemical Components, and Modulatory Targets. Molecules, 29.","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules29102288"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"549721","DOI":"10.1155\/2014\/549721","article-title":"Effect of pumpkin seed oil on hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial","volume":"2014","author":"Cho","year":"2014","journal-title":"Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e13448","DOI":"10.1111\/srt.13448","article-title":"Efficacy and safety of persimmon leaf formulated with green tea and sophora fruit extracts (BLH308) on hair growth: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial","volume":"29","author":"Ham","year":"2023","journal-title":"Skin. Res. Technol."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e237","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jaad.2020.12.041","article-title":"Comment on \u201cLow dose oral minoxidil for treating alopecia: A 3-year North American retrospective case series\u201d: Adding further evidence about side effects","volume":"84","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Am. Acad. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3251","DOI":"10.2147\/CCID.S435795","article-title":"Oral and Topical Administration of a Standardized Saw Palmetto Oil Reduces Hair Fall and Improves the Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia Subjects\u2014A 16-Week Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study","volume":"16","author":"Sudeep","year":"2023","journal-title":"Clin. Cosmet. Investig. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2515690x241291141","DOI":"10.1177\/2515690X241291141","article-title":"Effectiveness and Safety of Hair Growth Formulation Containing Tectona grandis L.f (Teak) Leaf Extract: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study on Males with Androgenic Alopecia","volume":"29","author":"Tanuphol","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Evid. Based Integr. Med."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"116958","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jep.2023.116958","article-title":"The effect of an oral product containing Amla fruit (Phyllanthus emblica L.) on female androgenetic alopecia: A randomized controlled trial","volume":"318","author":"Akhbari","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Ethnopharmacol."}],"container-title":["Nutrients"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/17\/5\/767\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T16:40:05Z","timestamp":1760028005000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/17\/5\/767"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,21]]},"references-count":30,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,3]]}},"alternative-id":["nu17050767"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/nu17050767","relation":{},"ISSN":["2072-6643"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2072-6643","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,21]]}}}