Topically applied glycyrrhizic acid causes hair removal in rats. (October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ivosevic-Zaper, Julijana; Hofmann, Matthias; Kakadjanova, Ayna; Valesky, Eva; Meissner, Markus; Bereiter-Hahn, Jürgen; Kaufmann, Roland; Bernd, August; Kippenberger, Stefan
• Is Part Of: Pharmaceutical biology. Volume 52:Number 10(2014:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1362
• Page End: 1365
• Publication Date: 2014-10
• Subjects: Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; 615.321
• DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.884608
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-0209

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Context</italic>: Anecdotic reports from Turkmenistan suggest an epilatory effect of sweet licorice extract after topical application.</p> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>: This study examines hair removal after topical application of glycyrrhizic acid, the main compound of sweet licorice.</p> <p> <italic>Materials and methods</italic>: An aqueous solution containing 15% of the ammonium salt of glycyrrhizic acid, 10% urea, and 20% ethanol was topically applied two times per day on the neck areas of Wistar rats using a toothbrush.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: After 3 d, 20–30% of the treated areas were free of hair. After treatment for 6–12 d, 90–95% of the hair was gone. Clinical as well as immunohistological examinations showed no signs of inflammation even after long-term treatment for more than 9 months. Interestingly, long-term treatment reduced the regrowth of hair of about 20%. Examination by scanning electron microscopy showed a smoothed hair cuticle that might facilitate detachment of the hair shaft from the follicular wall.</p> <p> <italic>Discussion and conclusion</italic>: Our findings suggest glycyrrhizic acid as an interesting molecule for treating hypertrichosis in humans.</p> </abstract>