Central Journal of Pharmacology & Clinical Toxicology Cite this article: Ray A, Chattopadhyay P, Konwar BK (2015) Anti-Alopecic Activity of a Novel Compound from Aloe barbadensis Miller. J Pharmacol Clin Toxicol 3(2):1048. *Corresponding author Ang g a na Ra y, De p a rtme nt o f Mo le c ula r Bio lo g y a nd Bio te c hno lo g y, Te zp ur (C e ntra l) Unive rsity, Te zp ur-784028, Assa m, Ind ia , Ema il: Submitte d: 28 January 2015 Accepted: 03 Marc h 2015 Publishe d: 05 Marc h 2015 ISSN: 2333-7079 Copyright © 2015 Ray e t al. OPEN ACCESS Ke ywo rds • A. barbadensis • Ac ute d e rma l irrita nc y • Alo p e c ia , Wista r ra t Short Communication Anti-Alopecic Activity of a Novel Compound from Aloe barbadensis Miller Anggana Ray 1 *, Pronobesh Chattopadhyay 2 and Bolin K. Konwar 1,3 1 Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur (Central) University, India 2 Divisions of Pharmaceutical Technology, Defence Research Laboratory, India 3 Vice-Chancellors, Nagaland University, India Abstract Alopecia is an abnormal hair loss that has become a subject of major concern for cosmetologists and dermatologists worldwide. Drugs available in the market are known to possess various toxic side effects which lead to search for novel drugs for the treatment of alopecia. The objective of the present study was to isolate a non-toxic and non-irritant anti-alopecic compound from Aloe barbadensis Miller. In the present investigation, we have isolated a novel compound using chromatographic techniques and the cytotoxicity, acute dermal irritatancy of the compound was tested. Alopecia was induced in Wistar rats using warfarin at a standard dose and the compound was topically applied on affected area of alopecic Wistar rats. In histology study, A. barbadensis isolated compound showed its strong effect on hair follicle regeneration and qualitative hair growth promotion against warfarin-induced alopecia as compared to minoxidil. This study suggest that the isolated compound can be use as a new anti- alopecic drug as a replacement to minoxidil. INTRODUCTION Hair is one of the vital parts of body, derived from the ectoderm of the skin and is involved in providing protection to the body [1]. At present, treatment of various hair ailments such as alopecia, seborrheic dermatitis, anagen effluvium, telogen effluvium, male and female pattern hair loss has been a subject of major concern throughout the globe [2,3]. Among them, alopecia is of major dermatologic concern which is characterized by non-scarring abnormal hair loss. Apart from the metabolic and hereditary causes, alopecia has also been observed as a major side effect of chemotherapy, anticoagulant, immunosuppressant, anticancer and many others drugs [4,5]. Minoxidil and finasteroid are two commonly prescribed drugs for treatment of alopecia and are approved by U.S. FDA [6]. However, potential drawbacks of both the drugs which include hypertrichosis, genitourinary abnormalities in male offspring, hormonal imbalance etc., has reduced their usage which has lead to an increased use of plant compounds as a source of medicines [7,8]. The use of plant products for pharmaceutical purposes has been gradually increasing. According to WHO, medicinal plants are becoming the optimal source for obtaining a variety of drugs [4]. About 80% of individuals from developed countries use traditional medicines, derived from medicinal plants [9]. Aloe barbadensis Mill commonly known as Aloe vera, is a traditionally well known medicinal plant and it has remained as an important component in the traditional medicine of many contemporary cultures worldwide [10]. This medicinal plant is also known for its use as a folk medicine in various hair ailments; however no scientific report has been reported to date. In the last decade, numerous studies have been conducted using a number of medicinal plants in an attempt to demonstrate their efficacy against alopecia [5,8]. Most of the studies were restricted to the use of crude extracts [11]. In depth studies with purified plant compounds against alopecia treatment are very scanty. In the present investigation, we have isolated and purified a non- toxic, non-irriant compound from A. barbadensis which showed a strong anti-alopecic effect at both the follicular and dermal level. MATERIALS AND METHODS Isolation of compound An ethylacetate extract was prepared from the dried A. barbadensis leaves in a soxhlet apparatus (1:2 ratios) for 12 h. The crude ethylacetate extract was eluted using column chromatography packed with silica gel (100-200 mesh size) using ethyacetate and hexane. The fraction eluted with 4% ethylacetat afforded a brown coloured compound. TLC was done for the compound using hexane: ethylacetate (3:7) solvent system followed by anisaldehyde spraying and heating to isolate the compound and the R f value was calculated. The isolated compound