Australian scientists have found that steviosides, compounds from the natural sweetener stevia, may significantly enhance the effectiveness of the popular hair loss drug minoxidil.
A sugar substitute commonly found in ice cream, candies, and diet sodas may hold the key to combating baldness, new research reveals. Australian scientists discovered that steviosides — compounds in stevia, a natural zero-calorie sweetener — can enhance the performance of the hair loss drug minoxidil, known commercially as Rogaine.
In mouse experiments, a microneedle patch infused with minoxidil and steviosides triggered new hair growth across 67.5 percent of bald areas after a month, compared to just 25 percent in those treated with minoxidil alone. “Using stevioside to enhance minoxidil delivery represents a promising step toward more effective and natural treatments for hair loss, potentially benefitting millions worldwide,” said Dr Lifeng Kang of the University of Sydney. Researchers believe steviosides may improve the body’s absorption of the drug. While the results are promising, scientists caution that further studies are needed to determine if the same effects occur in humans.