Dihydroartemisinin with minoxidil for female androgenetic alopecia

A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Therapeutic Effect of Dihydroartemisinin on Female Androgenetic Alopecia

Early Phase 1 Interventional Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital · NCT07012486

This trial will test whether taking oral dihydroartemisinin along with topical minoxidil helps increase terminal hairs on the top of the head in adult women with androgenetic alopecia.

Quick facts

PhaseEarly Phase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 40 Years
SexFemale
SponsorShanghai Zhongshan Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality)
Trial IDNCT07012486 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adult women with clinically diagnosed androgenetic alopecia will receive either daily oral dihydroartemisinin plus topical 5% minoxidil or topical 5% minoxidil alone for six months. Participants will attend the clinic once monthly for checkups and tests. The main outcome is change in terminal hair follicles in the vertex (top) scalp area. The comparison aims to determine whether adding dihydroartemisinin improves hair growth beyond minoxidil alone.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adult women with clinically diagnosed androgenetic alopecia who are not planning pregnancy within six months and meet the study's safety criteria are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have recent use of systemic or topical hair-loss drugs, or have severe organ disease or malignancy may not benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, adding dihydroartemisinin could increase visible hair density on the scalp compared with minoxidil alone.

How similar studies have performed: Using dihydroartemisinin for hair loss is largely novel with limited prior clinical evidence in humans.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinically diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia (AGA)
* No pregnancy plans within the next 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who received systemic medications for hair loss within the past 2 months
* Use of topical medication for hair loss within the past 2 weeks
* Pregnancy or lactation
* Patients with known severe diseases of vital organs (e.g., heart, liver, kidney) or malignancies.

Where this trial is running

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Androgenetic Alopeciaandrogenetic alopeciadihydroartemisinin
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.