Results
Carthamus tinctorius L. was the most potent 5α-reductase inhibitor, with a finasteride equivalent 5α-reductase inhibitory activity (FEA) value of 24.30 ± 1.64 mg finasteride equivalent per 1 g crude extract. Phyllanthus emblica L. was the second most potent inhibitor, with FEA of 18.99 ± 0.40. Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz. was the least potent 5α-reductase inhibitor (FEA 10.69 ± 0.96). Carthamus tinctorius also was the most potent hair growth promoter in C57BL/6 mice.