J. Pharm. Pharmacogn. Res., vol. 14, no. 2, Article ID 2513, Mar-Apr 2026.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres_14.2.2513

Original article

Additive effects of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oils on hair regrowth in a rat model: A comparative study with 2% minoxidil

[Efectos aditivos de los aceites esenciales de clavo (Syzygium aromaticum) y romero (Rosmarinus officinalis) sobre el crecimiento del cabello en un modelo de rata: un estudio comparativo con minoxidil al 2%]

Osama S. Alrufayyiq¹, Rehab F. Abdel-Rahman², Samah M. El Sohafy³, Gamal A. Soliman⁴, Hisham Y. Elzorba⁴, Maged S. Abdel-Kader^3*

¹Jathr Alhayawiya Company, VITAROOT, Almasif Discreet, Riyadh 12467, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

²Department of Pharmacology, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt.

³Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21215, Egypt.

⁴Department of Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt.

*E-mail: m.youssef@psau.edu.sa

Abstract

Context: Alopecia affects a large population and current treatments have limited efficacy and tolerability. Essential oils have gained increasing interest as natural, low-risk alternatives.

Aims: To evaluate the effects of Syzygium aromaticum and Rosmarinus officinalis oils, alone and in combination, on hair regrowth in rats and compared with 2% minoxidil.

Methods: S. aromaticum oil was prepared by hydro-distillation, while R. officinalis oil was purchased from the local market and analysed by GCMS. Male Wistar rats (n=30) were randomized to negative control (vehicle), 2% minoxidil, S. aromaticum oil, R. officinalis oil, and a S. aromaticum-R. officinalis oil mixture groups. Treatments were applied topically on a shaved dorsal skin area once a day for 35 days. The times required for hair growth initiation and completion were recorded, along with hair growth scores on days 7, 21, and 35. On day 35, hair weight, length, and thickness were measured, and skin histology was examined.

Results: All active treatments showed significant improvements in hair regrowth parameters manifested by a significant reduction in the duration of hair initiation and completion and improvement in all the measured parameters. The effects of S. aromaticum oil and R. officinalis oil on hair re-growth were comparable to that of minoxidil. The oils mixture demonstrated superior performance to minoxidil in terms of faster regrowth initiation (6.5 days), completion (21.83 days), and higher hair weight (22.2 mg/cm²) and length (16.67 mm). Histology indicated a higher follicle density in treated groups.

Conclusions: The oils mixture exhibited an additive effect, outperforming minoxidil in promoting hair regrowth.

Keywords: alopecia; essential oils; hair follicle; hair regeneration; minoxidil; Rosmarinus officinalis; Syzygium aromaticum.

Resumen

Contexto: La alopecia afecta a una gran parte de la población y los tratamientos actuales presentan una eficacia y tolerabilidad limitadas. Los aceites esenciales han despertado un creciente interés como alternativas naturales y de bajo riesgo.

Objetivos: Evaluar los efectos de los aceites de Syzygium aromaticum y Rosmarinus officinalis, solos y en combinación, sobre el crecimiento del cabello en ratas y compararlos con minoxidil al 2%.

Métodos: El aceite de S. aromaticum se preparó mediante hidrodestilación, mientras que el aceite de R. officinalis se adquirió en el mercado local y se analizó mediante cromatografía de gases-espectrometría de masas (GC-MS). Treinta ratas Wistar macho se asignaron aleatoriamente a los grupos de control negativo (vehículo), minoxidil al 2%, aceite de S. aromaticum, aceite de R. officinalis y una mezcla de aceites de S. aromaticum y R. officinalis. Los tratamientos se aplicaron tópicamente sobre una zona de piel dorsal rasurada una vez al día durante 35 días. Se registraron los tiempos necesarios para el inicio y la finalización del crecimiento del cabello, junto con las puntuaciones de crecimiento capilar en los días 7, 21 y 35. El día 35, se midieron el peso, la longitud y el grosor del cabello, y se examinó la histología de la piel.

Resultados: Todos los tratamientos activos mostraron mejoras significativas en los parámetros de regeneración capilar, manifestadas por una reducción significativa en la duración del inicio y la finalización del crecimiento, así como una mejora en todos los parámetros medidos. Los efectos del aceite de S. aromaticum y del aceite de R. officinalis sobre la regeneración capilar fueron comparables a los del minoxidil. La mezcla de aceites demostró un rendimiento superior al del minoxidil en términos de un inicio (6,5 días) y una finalización (21,83 días) más rápidos de la regeneración, y un mayor peso (22,2 mg/cm²) y longitud (16,67 mm) del cabello. La histología indicó una mayor densidad folicular en los grupos tratados.

Conclusiones: La mezcla de aceites mostró un efecto aditivo, superando al minoxidil en la promoción de la regeneración capilar.

Palabras Clave: aceites esenciales; alopecia; folículo piloso; minoxidil; regeneración capilar; Rosmarinus officinalis; Syzygium aromaticum.

https://jppres.com/jppres/pdf/vol14/jppres_14.2.2513.pdf

Citation Format: Alrufayyiq OS, Abdel-Rahman RF, El Sohafy SM, Soliman GA, Elzorba HY, Abdel-Kader MS (2026) Additive effects of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oils on hair regrowth in a rat model: A comparative study with 2% minoxidil. J Pharm Pharmacogn Res 14(2): 2513. https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres_14.2.2513

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