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Abstract
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a gradual form of hair loss driven by oxidative stress and hormonal imbalance, remains a major dermatological issue. Conventional synthetic treatments often lead to undesirable side effects, creating the need for safer, plant-based alternatives rich in bioactive compounds that can promote hair regrowth and scalp health. This study aimed to investigate the extraction, optimization, and characterization of bioactive compounds from Syzygium aromaticum (clove), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), and Moringa oleifera (moringa) for potential application in natural formulations targeting androgenetic alopecia.Extraction was optimized using a mixture design approach in Design Expert® software, where the proportions of the three plant materials were systematically varied to maximize total phytochemical yield. The experimental data were fitted into a quadratic model that exhibited strong predictive accuracy with an R² value of 0.9633, while the predicted and adjusted R² values were closely aligned, 0.9268 and 0.9560 respectively, confirming the model’s reliability and significance (p < 0.0001). Optimization results showed that the best formulation was gotten using 3.553 g of cloves, 2.389 g of rosemary, and 4.057 g of moringa, yielding 15.108 with a maximum desirability value of 1.000. Phytochemical screening and quantitative analysis revealed that the optimized blend possessed very high concentrations of phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and steroids. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy further confirmed the presence of crucial functional groups such as hydroxyl (–OH), carbonyl (C=O), and C–O linkages, characteristic of polyphenolic and terpenoid compounds.The results indicated that the combined extract showed synergistic phytochemical enrichment, suggesting improved bioactive potency. The dominance of phenolic and flavonoid compounds implies strong antioxidant and 5α-reductase inhibitory potential, thereby reducing dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced follicular shrinkage. Terpenoids and steroids were also found to contribute to follicular nourishment and stimulation of keratinocyte activity, enhancing overall hair growth. In conclusion, the optimized mixture of Syzygium aromaticum, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Moringa oleifera extracts exhibited promising bioactive and functional properties, supporting its potential as a natural therapeutic formulation against androgenetic alopecia.
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