Effect of Dieckol, a Component of Ecklonia cava, on the Promotion of Hair Growth

Int J Mol Sci. 2012;13(5):6407-23. Epub 2012 May 23.
Effect of Dieckol, a Component of Ecklonia cava, on the Promotion of Hair Growth.
Kang JI, Kim SC, Kim MK, Boo HJ, Jeon YJ, Koh YS, Yoo ES, Kang SM, Kang HK.

Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Jeju National University, 102 Jejudaehakno, Jeju 690-756, Korea; E-Mails: asdkji@hanmail.net (J.-I.K.); 25008@hanmail.net (S.-C.K.); loveis6776@hanmail.net (M.-K.K.); wonsein2000@nate.com (H.-J.B.); yskoh7@jejunu.ac.kr (Y.-S.K.); eunsyoo@jejunu.ac.kr (E.-S.Y.).

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Ecklonia cava, a marine alga native to Jeju Island in Korea, on the promotion of hair growth. When vibrissa follicles were cultured in the presence of E. cava enzymatic extract (which contains more than 35% of dieckol) for 21 days, E. cava enzymatic extract increased hair-fiber length. In addition, after topical application of the 0.5% E. cava enzymatic extract onto the back of C57BL/6 mice, anagen progression of the hair-shaft was induced. The treatment with E. cava enzymatic extract resulted in the proliferation of immortalized vibrissa dermal papilla cells (DPC). Especially, dieckol, among the isolated compounds from the E. cava enzymatic extract, showed activity that increased the proliferation of DPC. When NIH3T3 fibroblasts were treated with the E. cava enzymatic extract and the isolated compounds from the E. cava enzymatic extract, the E. cava enzymatic extract increased the proliferation of NIH3T3 fibroblasts, but the isolated compounds such as eckol, dieckol, phloroglucinol and triphlorethol-A did not affect the proliferation of NIH3T3 fibroblasts. On the other hand, the E. cava enzymatic extract and dieckol significantly inhibited 5α-reductase activity. These results suggest that dieckol from E. cava can stimulate hair growth by the proliferation of DPC and/or the inhibition of 5α-reductase activity.

Well I must say, this was a long time in coming, since I was ridiculed for suggesting Ecklonia Cava had pro hair growth qualities in 2006, which was when I began using it.

The scientific man does not aim at an immediate result. He does not expect that his advanced ideas will be readily taken up. His work is like that of the planter—for the future. His duty is to lay the foundation for those who are to come, and point the way.

— Nikola Tesla

I remember when you replaced Stinging Nettles with it if I'm not mistaken. It's a great supplement and anyone who has frequented here over the years has been way ahead of the curve.

My wife tells me every day how people in her office mention taking things/doing things most of us in here started doing 6-7 years ago.

CausticSymmetry: You said you have been taking this since 2006? Could you expand on your personal beliefs as to how much of a positive impact it has made for you?

I am currently taking it as well, been taking it for a couple months. I try to take one in the morning and one at night since it stays in the blood for 12 hours (but i miss quite a few days).

cant see results with a poorly followed regimen

CausticSymmetry wrote:Int J Mol Sci. 2012;13(5):6407-23. Epub 2012 May 23.
Effect of Dieckol, a Component of Ecklonia cava, on the Promotion of Hair Growth.
Kang JI, Kim SC, Kim MK, Boo HJ, Jeon YJ, Koh YS, Yoo ES, Kang SM, Kang HK.

On the other hand, the E. cava enzymatic extract and dieckol significantly inhibited 5α-reductase activity. These results suggest that dieckol from E. cava can stimulate hair growth by the proliferation of DPC and/or the inhibition of 5α-reductase activity.

sorry i don't know much about this supplement, but doesn't the statement above mean that it mimics the effects of propecia which also works by inhibiting 5a-r? aka wouldn't that also mimic the sexual side effects?

it says and or. i doubt inhibiting some 5aR would give the side effects of something that inhibits 70%

Thin in FL wrote:CausticSymmetry: You said you have been taking this since 2006? Could you expand on your personal beliefs as to how much of a positive impact it has made for you?

I am currently taking it as well, been taking it for a couple months. I try to take one in the morning and one at night since it stays in the blood for 12 hours (but i miss quite a few days).

Ecklonia cava is one example of how 5-AR can be naturally attenuated by oxidation reduction, which is quite different than destroying an enzyme via finasteride or dutasteride.

The differences on how this occurs is like comparing an apple to a petrochemical poison.

For example, take a look at some of these studies here:

http://ortho-nutrition.com/ecklonia-cava-research

Finasteride on the other hand, disrupts a number of important hormones, such as neurosteroids, which can cause temporary to permanent endocrine disruption.

As far has the efficacy of Ecklonia Cava, it is one tool as part of a holistic approach. In other words, each supplement that I take helps a certain aspect. It's important to emphasize that heavy metal detoxification, iodine use and other supplements have augmented the results. However, I can say that it has helped and even more so when I implemented the previous mentioned aspects.

Congratulations CausticSymmetry!

(For being right all along)

CausticSymmetry wrote:

Thin in FL wrote:CausticSymmetry: You said you have been taking this since 2006? Could you expand on your personal beliefs as to how much of a positive impact it has made for you?

I am currently taking it as well, been taking it for a couple months. I try to take one in the morning and one at night since it stays in the blood for 12 hours (but i miss quite a few days).

Ecklonia cava is one example of how 5-AR can be naturally attenuated by oxidation reduction, which is quite different than destroying an enzyme via finasteride or dutasteride.

I still havent gotten to order any E.Cava hopefully later this month or next.
Speaking of what you said about attenuation to oxidation reduction, this should mean increasing antioxidant overall ( like vitamin E, super foods high in antioxidants like goji/acai etc.) should all be similarly useful... Also I rememeber reading once somewhere that alpha reductase enzyme is increased in low oxygen environments, do you know anything about this?

J987 - Your essentially correct, however not all antioxidants are the same. Some act as indirect antioxidants (increase endogenous antioxidant enzymes).

The best ones will offer both direct and indirect protection against oxidation and work in both water and fat soluble environments. Perhaps most important of all is the half-life as well. Most antioxidants will last only 30 minutes.

The "superfood" like juices will not last that long and are by nature only water soluble. In regards to vitamin E, too much will interfere the more important tocotrienols.

In a low functioning thyroid state, there is always lower oxygen, which invites infection, and with infection there is inflammation, which in of itself causes low oxygen.

One might wonder why does the body produce an excessive amount of DHT in circumstances? Moreover, why do only balding men suffer from the effects of DHT?

Answer surprises most people because of pharmaceutical propaganda. Over the years a number of papers have documented that DHT lowers levels of endotoxins, cytokines, vascular inflammation from low oxygen conditions.
In other words, DHT acts as an anti-inflammatory in a low oxygen environment in order to repair damage.

One example is how DHT treatment shrinks prostate weights just as effectively, not more so than reduction of it.
With respect to low oxygen on the scalp, it is better to prevent the low oxygen rather than to focus on DHT exclusively.

Does breathing and/or more exercise ( which causes heavier breathing) play a role in what you are describing.
Ive known for awhile that people tend to breath in their chest, and not full functional deep breathes of air.
Does increased Alkalinity improve oxygenation of cells? I wonder if those pure oxygen therapies has any benefit...
Air pollution seems like it could even be a factor here...

J987 wrote:Does breathing and/or more exercise ( which causes heavier breathing) play a role in what you are describing.
Ive known for awhile that people tend to breath in their chest, and not full functional deep breathes of air.
Does increased Alkalinity improve oxygenation of cells? I wonder if those pure oxygen therapies has any benefit...
Air pollution seems like it could even be a factor here...

I'm afraid I'm short on time and this particular topic has been discussed quite heavily. The short answer is there are some yes and no's but the details are necessary for differentiation. The alkalinity issue is probably the most universally skewed subject on health, but that's also a topic that has been explored. The short answer on that is the details matter heavily.

Sorry for bumping and old post but would Ecklonia Cava be safe for some one who has used finasteride in the past? How strong of a reductase inhibitor is it? I used finasteride for several years in the past and am sensitive to 5ar inhibitors and tend to avoid them.

baller234 - Here's a previous explanation about 5-AR reduction, it's quite different than chemical castration via fin or dut.

Ecklonia cava is one example of how 5-AR can be naturally attenuated by oxidation reduction, which is quite different than destroying an enzyme via finasteride or dutasteride.

The differences on how this occurs is like comparing an apple to a petrochemical poison.

For example, take a look at some of these studies here:

http://ortho-nutrition.com/ecklonia-cava-research

Finasteride on the other hand, disrupts a number of important hormones, such as neurosteroids, which can cause temporary to permanent endocrine disruption.

I recently just started taking E. cava, so the first day I took it I felt an interesting stimulated sensation of blood flow in my body, or something of the like, but all of the following times whatever it was doing in my body went unnoticed, but maybe because my body became familiar with it after that point. Could also be because I took it on an empty stomach the first day I used it, idk. I'm sure it is mainly a silent helper though like most other supplements, I like knowing about its antioxidant and NO boosting properties, so im sure this is something good to keep in the regimen, especially with how much c/s promotes it throughout many of his posts on this forum..

These results suggest that dieckol from E. cava can stimulate hair growth by the proliferation of DPC and/or the inhibition of 5α-reductase activity.

So it does like Saw palmetto, right? So it's a good thing and a bad thing, right?

And does the stimulation of hair growth works in the case of androgenic alopecia?

Directo wrote:

These results suggest that dieckol from E. cava can stimulate hair growth by the proliferation of DPC and/or the inhibition of 5α-reductase activity.

So it does like Saw palmetto, right? So it's a good thing and a bad thing, right?

And does the stimulation of hair growth works in the case of androgenic alopecia?

Saw Palmetto is entirely different on how it inhibits 5-AR. Groin pain and other side-effects can occur with saw palmetto.
E-cava does a dozen other things and reduces 5-AR by oxidation process, which is different.

What's the best dosage for hair? Do you recommend the 6 pills per day with Fibroboost?

In that study, do we know how much exactly they used?

And it was used on mice, so are we sure it would work on men with Alopecia?

I've been using it since 2006, and started to notice benefits with it after a period. It's contains many properties that perform many functions. For me, it is just a part of an overall regimen.

Dosage is one in the morning and one at night, whether it is fibroboost or the whole herbal extract.

does EC have any "lasting" effects or is this just another "boost" that you have to take daily forever to enjoy its "daily" benefits?

CausticSymmetry wrote:

Directo wrote:

These results suggest that dieckol from E. cava can stimulate hair growth by the proliferation of DPC and/or the inhibition of 5α-reductase activity.

So it does like Saw palmetto, right? So it's a good thing and a bad thing, right?

And does the stimulation of hair growth works in the case of androgenic alopecia?

Saw Palmetto is entirely different on how it inhibits 5-AR. Groin pain and other side-effects can occur with saw palmetto.
E-cava does a dozen other things and reduces 5-AR by oxidation process, which is different.

That's interesting. So would it be correct to assume that unlike finasteride, ecklonia cava doesn't actually inhibit the enzyme directly, it just reduces the need for the enzyme to be produced by reducing oxidation? Does ecklonia cava have a similar affect on aromatase?

Saw palmetto and Ecklonia cava are worlds apart.

To me, the 5-AR inhibition is probably more of an effect than from a direct attack. It's the other effects of ECE that are far more interesting.

I started using Saw Palmetto in the mid to late 90's and then "upgraded" to Beta Sitosterol. Some years later, I made the realization that I was essentially taking an herbal form of finasteride--side effects included!

These side-effects were not obvious until I stopped taking them.

Ecklonia cava has so many benefits to it, that if I had to take only one thing, ECE would be it.

Is it okay to take both? I'm thinking of using Now Adams multi vitamin which contains saw palmetto

RisingFist wrote:Is it okay to take both? I'm thinking of using Now Adams multi vitamin which contains saw palmetto

Inhibiting too much DHT isn't good....