Synergistic Trichogenic Efficacy of Wedelia chinensis and Cassytha filiformis Emulgel in Murine Models

Background Herbal formulations are frequently used to treat skin diseases. Generally, a disadvantage of topical drug delivery systems is the poor permeability of the drug through the skin, due to its thick, complex structure, so large drug particles are rarely absorbed. The present study aimed to develop an in vivo evaluation of a herbal emulgel, alone and in combination with the plant extracts Wedelia chinensis and Cassytha filiformis , for promoting hair growth. Methods Hydroalcoholic extracts of Wedelia chinensis and Cassytha filiformis were used to prepare an herbal emulgel, and murine models, including testosterone- or stress-induced rats, were used to assess hair growth-promoting activity. The animals were divided into five groups of six rats each: negative control, positive control (Finasteride and Minoxidil), test group I (CF 2% emulgel), test group II (WC 2% emulgel), and test group III (CF + WC 2% emulgel). Result Hair growth activity was assessed visually. Biochemical and biological parameters, as well as follicular density, were measured. Histopathological analysis further revealed an increased anagen/telogen ratio in test group III (CF + WC 2%) (2.25 ± 0.6584), which was significantly higher than in the negative control group (0.25 ± 0.0156; p = ***P < 0.001). Also, it surpassed both the individual CF 2% (1.75 ± 0.5096, p = **P < 0.01) and WC 2% (1.4 ± 0.5584, p = **P < 0.01) groups. Statistical analyses were conducted in Graph Pad Prism 3 using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test; *p < 0.05, ***p < 0.001 were considered significant. Conclusion Hydroalcoholic extract emulgel formulations for both plants exhibit significant trichogenic efficacy, but the combined formulation (CF + WC 2%) showed greater potential to promote hair growth.