Takahashi
et
al.
–
2001
Double-blind clinical study
Malus
pumila
29
4
months
Human
Male
pattern baldness
1.8
mL
of procyanidin
B-2
applied
twice
daily
to
the subjects’
affected
area
of
the
head.
n/a
n/a
Placebo
(vehicle)
Increased
ratio
of
hairs
measuring
more
that
40
um
in
diameter
(p
0.05) increased
mean
value
of
hair diameter
(p
0.002) increase
in number
of
total
hairs
in
the designated
scalp
area
(p
0.001)
increased
hair
density
over baseline
(p
0.002)
Proanthocyanidins,
including procyanidin
B-2,
may
stimulate
anagen
induction
to
allow
for growthpromoting
activity.
None
Takahashi
et
al.
–
2005
Double-blind clinical study
Malus
pumila
43
12
monthsHuman
Male
pattern baldness
Topical
application
of
0.7% procyanidin oligmers
on affected
scalp
twice
a
day
n/a
Procyanidin Oligomers:
7.3%
(w/w)
procyanidin
B-1,
26.2%
(w/w) procyanidin
B-2,
and
7.7%
(w/w) procyanidin
C-1
Placebo
(vehicle)
Greater
incresase
in
total
number
of
hairs
on
affected
area
in comparison
to
control.
Increase
in
total
number
of
hairs
within treatment
group
compared
to baseline.
Procyanidin
might
play
role
in
TGF-b
pathway
which
deals
with
lipid
peroxidation
and
inflammation,
both
of
which
are
known
to aggravate
male
pattern
baldness.
None

326 JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE
(with two biodegradable, alkyl-polyglucoside emulsifiers in concentrations of 7% and 1.5%)
over a 9 cm2 area on their right volar forearm twice daily for 28 days as the treatment arm,
and to apply the same topical cream excluding the wild apple fruit extract over a 9 cm2 area
on their left volar forearm twice daily for 28 days as the control arm. Initial measurements of
electrical capacitance, TEWL, and pH were taken for baseline values. Repeat measurements
were taken after 14 and 28 days following skin application of the treatment and control
creams. Results showed there was no significant difference in transepidermal water loss
after 14 or 28 days compared to baseline in both the treatment and control arm (p 0.05).
The pH of the skin did not significantly change after 28 days in the treatment or control
arm (p 0.05) However, the treatment arm showed a significant increase in electrical
capacitance (p 0.05), used as an indication of epidermal barrier function, compared to
the control arm after 14 and 28 days (Table II).14
A third study, a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, nonrandomized, experimental trial,
tested the effects of Malus sylvestris fructus extract on TEWL, pH, and electrical conductance
of the skin (Table II).13 The study used the extract formulated as part of dermocosmetic
creams at 3 different concentrations, 6%, 12%, and 15%. 17 healthy female volunteers
(mean age 23.10 ± 3.68), without a history or clinical signs of dermatological diseases,
were recruited for the study. After initial measurement of electric conductance, TEWL, and
pH of the skin (before the start of the study — basal values), the dermocosmetic creams
with extract were then applied to the volar surface of the right forearm in marked areas
measured at 9 cm2, using a cardboard ruler with blank surfaces. The volar parts of the
left forearms were treated with placebo. Volunteers were instructed to apply the samples
(labeled with stickers, the name, and place of applications) at home twice a day, in the
morning and then in the evening (after showering) on the marked surface areas, for 28 days.
Measurements were taken after 14 and 28 days of application. Results showed that all three
dermocosmetic creams led to a slight reduction in TEWL, but this was not statistically
significant. Additionally, pH values of the skin where the dermocosmetic creams were
applied remained statistically unchanged as well. However, statistically significant increases
in electrical capacitance, measured using a Corneometer® CM 825 (Courage+Khazaka
electronic GmbH, Cologne, Germany) and used as an indication of epidermal barrier
function, from application sites of all 3 formulated dermocosmetic creams containing the
wild apple fruit extract were seen at 14 days and 28 days in comparison to the placebo cream
and nontreated area (p 0.05). The dermocosmetic cream with the highest concentration
of the extract (15%) demonstrated the greatest increase in hydration. Overall, the study
demonstrated that wild apple extract is efficacious in increasing skin hydration when
formulated into dermocosmetic creams, as shown by a statistically significant increase in
the biophysical parameter of electrical conductance.13
APPLE ATTENUATES THE SYMPTOMS OF MALE PATTERN BALDNESS
Three studies investigated the effects of apple derivatives on male pattern baldness. One of
the studies was a double-blinded, randomized clinical trial consisting of 29 male subjects
(30–57 years old) showing male pattern baldness on the scalp (Table I).15 Random sampling
was used to divide the participants into two groups: treatment and control, at a 2:1 ratio
respectively. The treatment group was treated with a 1% procyanidin B-2 agent, extracted
from the Malus pumila species, while the placebo group received the vehicle used for the