What is PROCYANIDIN B-2 (extracted from apples)？

What is that?

Procyanidin B-2, is a subclass of flavonoids that are known to exert powerful antioxidant, therapeutic, and anti-inflammatory effects.

These polyphenol compounds, commonly found in apples, barley, and grape seeds, have been suggested to produce hair growth stimulating effects by promoting hair epithelial cell growth and inducing the active anagen growth phase in in vivo murine models and in 6 month & 12 month clinical trials.

Benefits of PROCYANIDIN B-2

Preventative actions against catagen development, cellular DNA destruction (apoptosis), and hair loss:

This study examined Procyanidin b-2’s relationship to the TGF-beta signal pathways, which are known to induce the catagen phase (which is the degenerative hair stage), and the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade (PKC), which is linked to cell proliferation. This study added TGF-beta(1) and (2) to the hair epithelial cell cultures and noted that these pathways dose-dependently decreased cell growth and induced apoptosis (apoptosis is the death of cells that occurs as a normal and controlled part of an organism's growth or development). However, the addition of procyanidin B-2 to the hair cell culture neutralized these growth-inhibiting effects and protected the hair cells from apoptosis.

Over 1,000 natural extracts were examined...

The proanthocyanidins (including procyanidin b-2) from grape seed extract was credited as a significant natural extract for hair growth, after scientists examined over 1,000 different kinds of plant extracts. They discovered that these proanthocyanidins proliferated hair follicle cells in mice by about 230% relative to controls (100%) and possessed a "remarkable hair-cycle-converting activity from the telogen phase to the anagen phase...". So out of 1,000 analysis on plant extracts, grape seeds topped them all. The contents in grape seed extracts and their reason for success in hair growth are mediated through its various phenolic compounds, antioxidant power, improved blood circulation, promotion of collagen and other benefits. (study). Grape seed extracts constitute a variety of oligomeric proanthocyanidins with only about 3.1% PB-2. We want more PB-2 content, so grape seed extracts are not of interest for beard growth (however they may be for hair growth).

Hair Epithelial Cell Growth Effects

To conclude on the mechanism of growth promoting activities of these procyanidins, this studydemonstrated that procyanidin b-2 displayed the maximum growth-promoting effects for hair epithelial cell growth. This finding reports that procyanidin b-2 possesses growth-promoting activity in murine hair epithelial cells at the maximum highest rate of 300% relative to controls in a 5 day culture, and have also demonstrated that procyanidin oligomers stimulate anagen induction in the in vivo murine model at almost the same intensity as minoxidil 2%. Procyanidin b-2 stood out as the maximum growth-promoting polyphenol, in comparison with PB-3 and PC-1 (which is why grape seed extract won't be the best source for beard growth).

It's interesting to note that this study only examined the topical application of these procyanidin oligomers with a mere 1% concentration. This study only compared its 1% concentration with minoxidil 2%. It may be stipulated that a higher concentration (like 5%) of procyanidin b-2 may compare favorably with that of Minoxidil 5%.

This study demonstrates the promising potential for procyanidin b2 to be used as a natural hair growth inducer.

Human Clinical Trials

This clinical trial investigated the effects of just 1% procyanidin b2 on human hair growth after use for 6 months. A double-blind clinical test involving a total of 29 subjects was performed. 19 men in the procyanidin B-2 group and 10 men in the placebo control group were subjected to analyses. No adverse side effects were observed in either group.

Results:

The increase in number of total hairs in the designated scalp area (0.5 cm square = 0.25 cm2 area) of procyanidin B-2 group subjects after the 6-month trial was significantly greater than that of the placebo control group subjects (procyanidin B-2, 6.68 +/- 5.53 (mean +/- SD)/0.25 cm2; placebo, 0.08 +/- 4.56 (mean +/- SD)/0.25 cm2; P < 0.005, two-sample t test). The increase in number of terminal hairs, which are defined as hairs more than 60 microm in diameter, in the designated area (0.5 cm square = 0.25 cm2 area) of the procyanidin B-2 group subjects after the 6-month trial was significantly greater than that of the placebo control group subjects (procyanidin B-2, 1.99 +/- 2.58 (mean +/- SD)/0.25 cm2; placebo, -0.82 +/- 3.40 (mean +/- SD)/0.25 cm2; P < 0.02, two-sample t test). It is calculated that the increased number of terminal hairs in the designated area of the procyanidin B-2 group subjects after the 6 month trial was significantly greater than that seen in the placebo control group subjects (P < 0.02, two-sample t test.)

These results reveal that men who used PB2 had a significant increase in total hairs grown, number of terminal hairs, and no reported side effects.

When the researchers compared their results with those of currently available medications, they found that procyanidin B-2 caused slightly less hair growth than minoxidil (at 2%, not 5%), but a greater increase in total hairs than finasteride (Proscar). Unlike these prescription drugs, procyanidin B-2 produced no side effects. Procyanidin B-2 therapy shows potential as a safe and promising cure for male pattern baldness.

Another clinical study, that lasted for 12 months, investigated the efffectiveness of 0.7% apple procyanidin oligomers (again, quite a low concentration yet the results were still significant).

A double-blind clinical test involving a total of 43 subjects was performed. 21 men in the procyanidin group and 22 men in the placebo control group were subjected to analysis. In the first 6 months, we compared the procyanidin and the placebo groups to assess the medicinal effects of procyanidin oligomers. The application time of the procyanidin group was subsequently extended to 12 months, and the time course of its remedial value was examined.

The increase in total number of hairs in a designated scalp area of the procyanidin group subjects after the 6-month trial was significantly greater than that of the placebo control group subjects (procyanidin, 3.3 +/- 13.0 (mean +/- SD)/0.50 cm(2); placebo, -3.6 +/- 8.1/0.50 cm(2); P < 0.001, two-sample t-test). Time course-dependent improvement in hair density was observed in the procyanidin subjects. No adverse side effects were observed in any of the subjects. Procyanidin therapy thus shows potential hair-growing activity.

The Pharmacology & Pharmacokinetics of Procyanidin B-2

Pharmacology is the branch of medicine concerned with the uses, effects, and modes of action of drugs.

Pharmacokinetics is the branch of pharmacology concerned with the movement of drugs within the body.

It's not only important to observe and analyze the mechanisms of action for PB-2, it's important to observe how this ingredient can be absorbed, penetrated, and available biologically when applied topically.

This studyobserved the percutaneous penetration of PB2 in a lotion with only 0.0663mg. The results showed that despite low concentration in the lotion, the substance proved useful in regard to pharmacokinetics.

A theoretical 4-5% concentration of PB2 should render and penetrate effectively, but the cosmetic chemist I hired will confirm for me if this is possible.

Is this non-toxic and safe for use?

To evaluate the safety of topical procyanidin B-2 as a hair growing agent, this studyexamined the mutagenicity, acute subcutaneous injection, primary irritation, skin sensitization, and eye irritation of this compound. The results showed this compound to have no mutagenic effects, no structural aberrations, the legal dose being greater than 2000mg (subcutaneous injection), no primary irritation among tests on rabbits, and slight irritation when inserted into rabbit's eyes. 

The previous clinical trials on humans also showed no adverse side effects reported. The previous mentioned studies on murine models showed no adverse side effects either.

These results suggest that topical procyanidin b-2 is safe and acceptable for use.

In conclusion, Procyanidin B-2 has great potential and is constantly being explored for its numerous health benefits.  Aogubio's commitment to developing nutraceuticals, supplements and products for various industries using Procyanidin B-2 underscores the company's commitment to harnessing the power of natural substances to improve human health. As research and understanding of Procyanidin B-2 continues to evolve, it’s clear that powerful Procyanidin B-2 holds great promise for the future of natural health.                                               

Miranda Zhang