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Abrus precatorius Linn. popularly known as Crab's eye is a slender, woody perennial climber reported to have antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic, anti-diabetic, anti-tubercular and anti-plasmodial activities. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the hair growth promoting potentiality of aqueous extract of Abrus precatorius leaf. Preliminary chemical tests and TLC analysis revealed the presence flavonoids and saponins. Hair growth promoting activity of aqueous extract of Abrus precatorius was screened by considering different parameters which included time taken for covering bald patch, length of hair produced, percentage of hair follicles in anagen and telogen phases, time of hair growth initiation and completion and level of minerals in blood. The aqueous extract of Abrus precatorius showed a very good hair growth promoting activity at a dose of 300mg/kg which was comparable to that of 2%minoxidil. After 30 days of treatment with test and standard drugs it was observed that, time taken for covering the bald patch, hair growth initiation and completion time and quantitative hair growth were found to be comparable to that of the standard drug. An increase in percentage of hair follicles turning from telogen phase to anagen phase was noted. The control treated group of animals showed poor hair growth for all the parameters. A remarkable change in the mineral concentration in blood was not observed for treated group of animals. From the present investigation it was confirmed that Abrus precatorius is potent hair growth promoter and can be suggested to be an effective alternative to synthetic hair growth promoters.

Keywords

Abrus precatorius Linn, Anagen, Catagen, Telogen, Minoxidil

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