Thailand Trials Riceberry Serum to Boost Hair Growth and Reverse Graying

Residents looking for a Thai-grown solution to thinning hair and premature graying may soon see Riceberry step out of the dinner bowl and onto the bathroom shelf, offering a blend of lab-proven efficacy and local economic benefits.

Key Highlights

• AnthoRice Complex taps into anthocyanins from ข้าวไรซ์เบอร์รี่

• StemAktive combines five Thai herbs for stem cell regeneration

• Siriraj Hospital will host a 24-week clinical trial with 64 volunteers

• Phichit organic farmers could unlock new value-added markets

How Riceberry’s Anthocyanins Power Hair Revival

Laboratory experiments at Chulalongkorn and Mahidol universities reveal that A n t h o R i c e Complex—extracted from organically grown ข้าวไรซ์เบอร์รี่—is rich in anthocyanins (16–273 mg/100 g) and B vitamins (B1, B5, B12). These plant pigments stimulate melanin production via a dual-pathway mechanism involving the SRC pathway and AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway, directly at the hair follicle. When paired with StemAktive, a proprietary blend of butterfly pea (อัญชัน), Indian gooseberry (มะขามป้อม), kaffir lime (มะกรูด), soybean, and blue trumpet vine (รางจืด), tests recorded a 5–6× boost in stem cell growth, clearing damaged cells and fortifying roots against environmental stress.

Bridging Lab Discoveries to Clinical Trials

In Q1/2026, the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital will launch a randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolling 64 adults aged 25–60. Participants will apply the serum twice daily over 24 weeks, with dermatologists monitoring hair density, colour restoration, scalp health, and blood chemistry for safety. This study aims to confirm whether the melanin-boosting and follicle-activating effects seen in vitro translate into a visible reduction in graying strands and improved hair thickness.

An Income Boost for Phichit’s Organic Growers

Since 2024, a state enterprise in Phichit Province has partnered with researchers to supply pesticide-free ข้าวไรซ์เบอร์รี่. Over 50 farming families adhere to GMP and ISO standards, ensuring high-quality raw material. By shifting from commodity pricing to a value-added supply chain, local growers could see farm-gate revenues double, supporting Thailand’s BCG (bio-circular-green) economy and reinforcing commitments to sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods.

A New Choice for Thai Hair-Care Enthusiasts

If the trial validates safety and efficacy, pharmacies could stock the first Riceberry-based serum by late 2026 at an estimated ฿1,200 per 50 mL—well below imported niche brands. Consumers will gain access to a plant-derived, dermatologist-endorsed option that underscores import substitution and strengthens the local supply chain from Phichit paddies to Bangkok labs.

The Road Ahead: Innovation and Sustainability

Researchers are refining cold-press extraction to preserve anthocyanins without solvents and have filed a patent on the Riceberry-StemAktive synergy, potentially securing a 20-year exclusivity. Plans include a Phase II trial with several hundred participants and collaboration with Thai SMEs to scale up production, positioning Thailand as a biotech hub in hair-care innovation.

Key Takeaways:

• AnthoRice Complex uses high-pigment Riceberry extract and five Thai herbs

• 24-week Siriraj trial with 64 volunteers to test growth, colour, and safety

• Phichit organic farmers stand to benefit from value-added rice markets

• Target launch: late 2026, priced around ฿1,200/50 mL

• Aligns with Thailand’s BCG economy and sustainable agriculture goals