Benefits
Hairline recession reduction
At 250 mg/day over 12 weeks, healthy women and men experiencing hair loss showed significant reduction in hairline recession appearance vs placebo. Recession was evaluated using Norwood/Hamilton scales for male pattern baldness and Ludwig-Savin scales for female pattern baldness — standard dermatology instruments. The reduction was consistent with earlier topical and in-vitro studies of the same Ageratum extract.
Reduced total prostaglandins
The pivotal 12-week trial documented a substantial decrease in total circulating prostaglandins in the HairAge group vs placebo. Prostaglandins — particularly PGD2 — are implicated in androgenetic alopecia pathology. This biomarker change validates the in-vitro mechanism (PGD2 inhibition in dermal papilla cells) at the systemic level in humans, not just in laboratory studies.
Type-2 5α-reductase reduction (males)
In male participants, HairAge produced a statistically significant reduction in type-2 5α-reductase activity from baseline — the same enzyme target as finasteride, the standard pharmaceutical for androgenetic alopecia (the placebo group showed an increase). Honest framing: the magnitude is much milder than finasteride, but represents a real mechanistic effect rather than purely cosmetic claims.
Alopecia hair density improvement (topical evidence)
Earlier topical clinical trials of the same Ageratum conyzoides extract demonstrated considerable increase in hair density and decrease in hair loss ratio (HLR) in alopecia patients. These topical findings were the rationale for developing the oral form. The oral trial subsequently confirmed that systemic supplementation reproduces the topical benefits — useful for those preferring supplement form over scalp application.
Dual-sex efficacy
Unlike finasteride (effective primarily in male androgenetic alopecia and contraindicated in women of reproductive age), HairAge demonstrated benefits in both male and female participants. Particularly relevant for female pattern hair loss, where pharmaceutical options are more limited and minoxidil is often the only conventional intervention.
Anti-inflammatory mechanism support
Ageratum conyzoides has documented antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties in preclinical research. Inflammation of the hair follicle and surrounding scalp tissue contributes to pattern hair loss progression. The anti-inflammatory effects complement the more specific 5α-reductase and PGD2 mechanisms, providing a multi-pathway approach to hair health beyond single-target pharmaceutical strategies.
US patent and regulatory positioning
HairAge Vitae holds a US patent specifically for hair growth, hair loss control, and dandruff applications. Saanroo (formerly Gencor) is a GMP-certified Ayurveda-rooted ingredient supplier with multiple branded ingredients across hair, skin, and women's health categories. The patent and clinical evidence package distinguish HairAge from unbranded Ageratum conyzoides products which lack standardization.
Mechanism of action
Type-2 5α-reductase inhibition
Type-2 5α-reductase converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the androgen primarily responsible for androgenetic alopecia in genetically susceptible individuals. HairAge inhibits this enzyme, similar in mechanism to finasteride (the FDA-approved DHT-blocking medication). The clinical effect is much milder than finasteride but represents the same target pathway, with documented human biomarker change in the pivotal trial.
Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) inhibition
PGD2 accumulates in balding scalp tissue and inhibits hair follicle growth via the GPR44 receptor. In-vitro studies of HairAge in dermal papilla cells (the cells that regulate hair growth at the follicle base) demonstrated inhibition of PGD2 release. The pivotal human trial confirmed reduced total prostaglandins in supplemented individuals, validating the in-vitro mechanism at the systemic level.
Scalp anti-inflammatory effects
Ageratum conyzoides has documented anti-inflammatory properties spanning multiple inflammatory pathways. Chronic low-grade scalp inflammation contributes to hair follicle miniaturization in androgenetic alopecia. Anti-inflammatory effects complement the 5α-reductase and PGD2 mechanisms, supporting overall scalp environment for follicle function.
Antimicrobial and antioxidant support
Preclinical research documents broad antimicrobial activity (supporting the patent's dandruff indication) and antioxidant activity. Both effects support a healthier scalp environment for hair follicle function. Oxidative stress at the follicle contributes to age-related hair quality decline, providing rationale for the hair-quality outcomes alongside hair count and loss reduction.
Clinical trials
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial evaluating oral HairAge (Ageratum conyzoides extract) at 250 mg/day for 12 weeks. Outcomes measured via combing test (mean hairs lost in one-minute combing), hair tug/pull test, Norwood/Hamilton and Ludwig-Savin hair recession scales, and blood biomarkers (prostaglandins, type-2 5α-reductase). Published in Trichology and Cosmetology;6(1):1-6.
84 healthy women and men experiencing hair loss. 12-week intervention.
Significant reduction in hairline recession appearance vs placebo (Norwood/Hamilton and Ludwig-Savin scales). Substantial decrease in total prostaglandins in the HairAge group vs placebo, validating in-vitro PGD2 inhibition findings at systemic level. In males, statistically significant reduction in type-2 5α-reductase from baseline (HairAge group decreased, placebo increased). No safety concerns. Ethics committee approval restricted to 12 weeks, so longer-term effect sustainability requires further trials.
Open-label and double-blind clinical evaluation of topical Ageratum conyzoides extract (the predecessor formulation that became HairAge-Vitae) for alopecia patients.. Outcomes included hair density measurement and Hair Loss Ratio (HLR) assessment. Established the topical proof-of-concept that preceded the oral formulation development.
Alopecia patients (mixed male and female pattern hair loss). Topical scalp application protocol.
Topical Ageratum conyzoides extract considerably increased hair density and decreased the Hair Loss Ratio (HLR) in alopecia patients. Net increase in hair growth observed across the cohort. These findings generated industry interest in hair care and beauty applications and drove development of the subsequent oral supplementation form tested in the pivotal clinical trial.
Laboratory cell-culture studies of HairAge extract on dermal papilla cells — the specialized fibroblast cells at the hair follicle base that regulate hair growth and the growth phase transition. Tested effects on prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) release and 5α-reductase activity. Foundational mechanistic work that informed the clinical trial design.
Not applicable — laboratory cell culture studies in dermal papilla cells.
HairAge extract inhibited PGD2 release in dermal papilla cells in a dose-dependent manner. Also demonstrated 5α-reductase inhibition. PGD2 is implicated in hair follicle miniaturization in androgenetic alopecia; 5α-reductase converts testosterone to DHT, the androgen driving male pattern hair loss. Established the dual-mechanism rationale that was subsequently validated in the human pivotal trial.