BROMELAIN AND FINASTERIDE COMBINATION THERAPY INDUCES HAIR REGROWTH IN ALOPECIA PARTICIPANTS

Abstract

Background: Loss of hair or alopecia is a growing issue of concern in the world, which creates
an immense mental and emotional impact on the individual. Existing therapies are with severe
side effects due to long term use. Therefore, the need to look for alternative natural remedies to
complement current options.
Aim: To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of bromelain, its potential synergistic impact
with finasteride in the management of hair loss resulting from inflammation due to follicular
damage.
Method: The study was a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study involving 24
participants divided into three groups: bromelain + finasteride, finasteride only and non-active
cream. Topical bromelain and finasteride gel were used in combination, finasteride was used
singly, and a third group applied a non-active cream twice daily for 12 consecutive weeks.
Results: Our results revealed that the bromelain + finasteride group had a positive increase of
22% in hair count, 18% increase in thickness and a 24% increase in hair density more than the
other groups. Furthermore, the IL-1 and TNF-α concentrations were lower in the bromelain +
finasteride group, 145.52± 1.2 to 42.46± 0.8 (30%) and 115÷15++ 0.8 to 28.71± 0.7 (25%)
indicating the anti-inflammatory role of bromelain. On self-completion questionnaires,
participants demonstrated high level of satisfaction with a mean score of 8.5 out of 10.
Conclusion: The results support the need for bromelain to be used as an additional treatment in
alopecia, in addition to other multi-target strategies that may enhance effective yield for patients
who have not responded to traditional treatments.