Eclipta alba herb health benefit, hair growth herbal product?

Eclipta alba Hassk is a well-known Ayurvedic herb. Some claim that it promotes hair growth.

Hair growth promoting activity of Eclipta alba in mice
Eclipta alba extract with potential for hair growth promoting activity.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Jul 30; Datta K, Singh AT, Mukherjee A, Bhat B, Ramesh B, Burman AC. Molecular Oncology Lab., Dabur Research Foundation, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad 201010, India.
Eclipta alba is traditionally known to potentiate hair growth promotion. The study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of methanol extract of Eclipta alba as hair growth promoter. Pigmented C57/BL6 mice, preselected for their telogen phase of hair growth were used. In these species, the truncal epidermis lacks melanin-producing melanocytes and melanin production is strictly coupled to anagen phase of hair growth. The extract was applied topically to assess telogen to anagen transition. Immunohistochemical investigation was performed to analyze antigen specificity. Animals in anagen phase of hair growth were positive for FGF-7 and Shh and negative for BMP4, whereas the animals in telogen phase were positive only for BMP4 antigen. The methanol extract of whole plant when tested for hair growth promoting potential, exhibited dose dependent activity in C57BL6 mice. The activity was assessed by studying the melanogenesis in resected skin, follicle count in the subcutis, skin thickness and surrogate markers in vehicle control and extract treated animals. These findings suggest that methanol extract of Eclipta alba may have potential as a hair growth promoter.

Hair growth promoting activity of Eclipta alba in male albino rats
Arch Dermatol Res. 2008 August. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr HS Gour University, Sagar, MP, India.
Alopecia is a dermatological disorder with psychosocial implications on patients with hair loss. In the reported work attempts were undertaken to evaluate petroleum ether and ethanol extract of Eclipta alba Hassk. for their effect on promoting hair growth in albino rats. The extracts were incorporated into oleaginous cream (water in oil cream base) and applied topically on shaved denuded skin of albino rats. The time (in days) required for hair growth initiation as well as completion of hair growth cycle was recorded. Minoxidil 2% solution was applied topically and served as positive control for comparison. Hair growth initiation time was significantly reduced to half on treatment with the eclipta alba extracts, as compared to control animals. The time required for complete hair growth was also significantly reduced. Quantitative analysis of hair growth after treatment with petroleum ether extract (5%) exhibited greater number of hair follicles in anagenic phase which were higher as compared to control. The result of treatment with 2 and 5% petroleum ether extracts of eclipta alba were better than the positive control minoxidil 2% treatment.

Evaluation of anti-aggressive activity of eclipta alba in experimental animals.
Pak J Pharm Sci. 2008 April. Department of Pharmacology, Siddaganga College of Pharmacy, Tumkur-572102, Karnataka.
The occurrence of aggression for prolonged periods of time could have a hazardous impact on the health and social wellbeing of the individual. Aggression can ensue due to exposure to an intimidating situation. Aggression is prominently seen when a disturbance occurs in the fine balance of neurotransmitters such as 5-hydroxytryptamine, gamma- aminobutyric acid, dopamine and their receptor subtypes. The present study investigated the ability of 100 and 200mg/kg of aqueous extract of Eclipta alba to circumvent aggression. Foot shock induced aggression and water competition test were utilized as models for screening of antiaggressive activity. Eclipta alba significantly minimized dominance (p<0.05) which is correlated to the level of aggression particularly with 200mg/kg in the water competition test. A tangible behavioral submission was observed with 100 and 200mg/kg and of Eclipta alba in the foot shock induced test.

DHEA hormone use can cause hair loss in some individuals or hair thinning.