Extracts and Compounds from Ficus Benghalensis for Increasing Hair Growth and Decreasing Hair Loss

Abstract

This application discloses natural product extracts and compounds from an aerial root of a Ficus plant, such as Ficus benghalensis . The application also discloses the use of natural product extracts and compounds from Ficus plants for increasing hair growth and decreasing hair loss. Synthetic formulations comprising various compounds identified in the natural product extracts and methods of use thereof are further disclosed.

1 . A composition comprising at least 3 of the following compounds: lupeol, cycloartenol, α-amyrin, saturated ester wax, 5-methoxypsoralen, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, betulinic acid, betulonic acid, palmitic acid, 13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and a cerebroside,
 wherein the compounds are combined in a synthetic formulation. 
 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the saturated ester wax comprises hexacosyl tetracosanoate, hexacosyl hexacosanoate, hexacosyl octacosanoate or hexacosyl docosanoate. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises:
 saturated ester wax;   at least one compound selected from the group consisting of cerebroside and 13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid;   at least one compound selected from the group consisting of betulinic acid, betulonic acid and palmitic acid;   at least one compound selected from the group consisting of lupeol, cycloartenol and α-amyrin; and   at least one compound selected from the group consisting of stigmasterol, β-sitosterol and 5-methoxypsoralen.   
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises saturated ester wax, a cerebroside, betulonic acid, cycloartenol, α-amyrin, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises saturated ester wax, a cerebroside, betulonic acid, cycloartenol, α-amyrin, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol and 5-methoxypsoralen. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises lupeol, cycloartenol, α-amyrin, saturated ester wax, 5-methoxypsoralen, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, betulinic acid, betulonic acid, palmitic acid, 13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and a cerebroside. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises by percentage weight of the total solute:
 0.5 to 10% lupeol, 1 to 15% cycloartenol, 1 to 15% α-amyrin, 2 to 20% saturated ester wax, 5 to 30% 5-methoxypsoralen, 40 to 80% stigmasterol and β-sitosterol, 1 to 15% betulinic acid, 2 to 20% betulonic acid, 1 to 15% palmitic acid, 0.5 to 10% 13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and 1 to 15% cerebroside. 
 
     
     
         8 . A method of increasing hair growth or decreasing hair loss in a mammal in need thereof, wherein the method comprises administering the composition of  claim 1  to the mammal. 
     
     
         9 . A method of increasing the viability of a hair follicle, wherein the method comprises contacting a hair follicle with the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A method of increasing the viability of a hair follicle cell, wherein the method comprises contacting a hair follicle cell with the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A method of preparing a synthetic formulation, wherein the method comprises combining at least 3 of the following compounds: lupeol, cycloartenol, α-amyrin, saturated ester wax, 5-methoxypsoralen, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, betulinic acid, betulonic acid, palmitic acid, 13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and a cerebroside,
 to obtain a synthetic formulation. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the saturated ester wax comprises hexacosyl tetracosanoate, hexacosyl hexacosanoate, hexacosyl octacosanoate or hexacosyl docosanoate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method comprises combining the following compounds: lupeol, cycloartenol, α-amyrin, saturated ester wax, 5-methoxypsoralen, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, betulinic acid, betulonic acid, palmitic acid, 13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and a cerebroside. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising topically administering the synthetic formulation to a mammal to increase hair growth or decrease hair loss. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising exposing a hair follicle in vitro to the synthetic formulation to increase the viability of the hair follicle. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising exposing a hair follicle cell to the synthetic formulation to increase the viability of the hair follicle cell.