Home Ingredients ActriSave™ (Black Rice & Prickly Pear Hair Complex — Bionap)
Hair, Skin & Nails

ActriSave™ (Black Rice & Prickly Pear Hair Complex — Bionap)

Oryza sativa / Opuntia ficus-indica
Evidence Level
Limited
1 Clinical Trial
4 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

ActriSave is a branded oral extract from Bionap (Italy) that combines black rice (Oryza sativa) with prickly pear cactus flowers (Opuntia ficus-indica), standardized to 4.5 to 5.5% anthocyanins (as cyanidin-3-glucoside) and 1 to 2% isorhamnetin and derivatives. It is marketed for men's hair and for blemish-prone skin. One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial has tested it: 86 men with mild to moderate pattern hair loss took 250 mg a day or placebo for 6 months, and hair density and the share of growing (anagen) hairs rose more than on placebo. That trial was co-authored by Bionap staff and published in a journal not indexed in PubMed, and no independent group has repeated it. Laboratory and mouse studies of the main anthocyanin support the rationale but used cells or skin application, not oral doses.

Studied Dose 250 mg once a day for 6 months in the single published trial.
Active Compound Black rice (Oryza sativa) anthocyanins standardized to 4.5-5.5% as cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, plus prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) flower flavonoids standardized to 1-2% isorhamnetin and derivatives. By Bionap.

Benefits

Hair density and hair growth phase in men

In a 6 month placebo-controlled trial in 86 men with mild to moderate pattern hair loss, 250 mg a day raised hair density by 13.9 hairs per square cm against 0.5 on placebo, and the share of hairs in the growing phase rose from about 69% to 80%. Gains held 1 month after stopping. Bionap co-authored it and it has not been repeated.

Supported by Trial 1

Cyanidin anthocyanins and DHT stress on hair follicle cells

Black rice is rich in cyanidin-3-glucoside. In cell studies, cyanidin glycosides reduced DHT-driven damage and aging of dermal papilla cells, the cells that steer follicle growth, and in mice the compounds applied to the skin improved DHT-slowed hair growth. These are lab and animal results with non-oral use, not tests of ActriSave.

Supported by Trial 1

Antioxidant compounds from black rice and cactus flower

Both components contain antioxidant polyphenols: anthocyanins from black rice and isorhamnetin flavonoids from prickly pear flowers. Bionap also markets ActriSave for blemish-prone skin, but no study has measured antioxidant status or skin outcomes in people taking it.

Supported by Trial 1

Food-derived ingredients

Both source plants are foods, and no adverse events were reported in the 6 month trial. Long-term data on the concentrated extract are limited.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Anthocyanin antioxidant and anti-androgen activity

In cell studies, cyanidin-3-glucoside blocked androgen receptors and reduced DHT-induced death of dermal papilla cells, and cyanidin 3-arabinoside lowered DHT-driven mitochondrial oxidative stress and aging in these cells. Both were also tested as skin applications in mice, not taken by mouth, and neither study tested ActriSave.

2

Cactus-flower flavonoid contribution

Bionap states that the prickly pear flower flavonoids (isorhamnetin and derivatives) and the black rice anthocyanins have a synergistic protective effect in sebocytes and hair dermal papilla cells. This is the maker's description; none of the studies cited here tested the combination.

3

Proposed effect on sebocytes

Sebocytes are the oil-making cells of the skin. Bionap's claimed protective effect in these cells is the basis for marketing ActriSave for blemish-prone skin as well as hair. No skin outcome has been measured in people taking it.

Clinical trials

1
ActriSave 250 mg in men with pattern hair loss
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 250 mg a day for 6 months plus 1 month follow-up, run at Complife Italia and registered as ISRCTN17383899; two authors are Bionap employees. Not PubMed-indexed. (Cestone et al. 2023, Journal of Cosmetology & Trichology)

86 men aged 18 to 55 with Hamilton-Norwood stage II to III vertex hair loss; 82 analyzed (41 per arm).

Hair density rose by 5.5 and 13.9 hairs per square cm at 3 and 6 months on ActriSave versus 1.3 and 0.5 on placebo, with between-group differences significant. Anagen (growing) hairs rose from about 69% to 80.3% at 6 months, and the anagen to telogen ratio improved by about 86%. Results held 1 month after stopping. No adverse events were reported.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

No adverse events were reported in the 6 month trial; both black rice and prickly pear are foods.
Long-term safety data for the concentrated branded extract specifically are limited.
Pregnancy/lactation: not enough specific safety data for the concentrated extract; precautionary avoidance is reasonable.

Important Drug interactions

Diabetes medicines: in one case report, a man taking metformin and glipizide had low blood sugar after eating prickly pear cactus pads daily. ActriSave uses prickly pear flowers and has not been tested for blood sugar, but people on glucose-lowering drugs should monitor their glucose.
Blood thinners: no bleeding interaction has been reported, but ask your doctor before combining any concentrated polyphenol extract with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Iron supplements: take 2 or more hours apart, as polyphenols can bind non-heme iron.
No interactions have been studied for ActriSave itself.

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Frequently asked questions about ActriSave™ (Black Rice & Prickly Pear Hair Complex — Bionap)

What is ActriSave made of?

ActriSave (by Bionap) is an oral blend of black rice (Oryza sativa) and prickly pear cactus flower (Opuntia ficus-indica) extracts, standardized to 4.5 to 5.5% anthocyanins as cyanidin-3-glucoside and 1 to 2% isorhamnetin and derivatives. It is used in men's hair supplements and for blemish-prone skin.

Does ActriSave work for hair?

One 6 month placebo-controlled trial in 86 men with mild to moderate pattern hair loss found that 250 mg a day increased hair density and the share of growing hairs more than placebo. Bionap staff co-authored it, it appeared in a journal not indexed in PubMed, and no independent group has repeated it.

Is ActriSave safe?

No adverse events were reported in the 6 month trial, and both ingredients come from foods. Prickly pear cactus pads were linked to low blood sugar in one person taking diabetes drugs (ActriSave uses the flowers), so people on diabetes medication should monitor glucose. It is best taken apart from iron supplements.

What is ActriSave?

ActriSave is a branded oral extract from Bionap (Italy) that combines black rice (Oryza sativa) with prickly pear cactus flowers (Opuntia ficus-indica), standardized to 4.5 to 5.5% anthocyanins (as cyanidin-3-glucoside) and 1 to 2% isorhamnetin and derivatives. It is marketed for men's hair and for blemish-prone skin.

What is ActriSave used for?

ActriSave is researched primarily for Hair, Skin & Nails. In a 6 month placebo-controlled trial in 86 men with mild to moderate pattern hair loss, 250 mg a day raised hair density by 13.9 hairs per square cm against 0.

What is the recommended dosage of ActriSave?

The clinically studied dose is 250 mg once a day for 6 months in the single published trial. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Does ActriSave interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Diabetes medicines: in one case report, a man taking metformin and glipizide had low blood sugar after eating prickly pear cactus pads daily. ActriSave uses prickly pear flowers and has not been tested for blood sugar, but people on glucose-lowering drugs should monitor their glu… If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for ActriSave?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for ActriSave as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 1 study summary and 6 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(6 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Hu X, Li X, Wu S, Jiang X, Chen G, Hu Y, Sun J, Bai W. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and its derivative vitisin A alleviate androgenetic alopecia by exerting anti-androgen effect and inhibiting dermal papilla cell apoptosis. Eur J Pharmacol. 2024;963:176237. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176237.PubMedUsed to support: Cell and mouse study. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, the main anthocyanin in black rice, and its derivative vitisin A blocked androgen receptors and reduced DHT-induced death of dermal papilla cells; applied to mouse skin as a cream, they improved DHT-induced follicle shrinkage. Not an oral or human study and not a test of ActriSave.
  2. Jung YH, Chae CW, Choi GE, Shin HC, Lim JR, Chang HS, Park J, Cho JH, Park MR, Lee HJ, Han HJ. Cyanidin 3-O-arabinoside suppresses DHT-induced dermal papilla cell senescence by modulating p38-dependent ER-mitochondria contacts. J Biomed Sci. 2022;29(1):17. doi: 10.1186/s12929-022-00800-7.PubMedUsed to support: Cell and mouse study. Cyanidin 3-O-arabinoside reduced DHT-induced mitochondrial stress and senescence in cultured dermal papilla cells, and applied to the skin of DHT-treated mice it restored slowed hair growth. This anthocyanin is not the one ActriSave is standardized to, and the study is not a test of ActriSave.
  3. Zhou L, Zhu W, Chen Y. Effects of dietary supplements on androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Front Nutr. 2025;12:1719711. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1719711.PubMedUsed to support: Systematic review and network meta-analysis of 19 randomized trials (1,658 people) of oral supplements for androgenetic alopecia. Several products, including standardized plant extracts, apple extract, tocotrienols and pumpkin seed oil, improved hair density over placebo, and supplements were well tolerated. It did not include ActriSave, black rice or anthocyanins, so it is context only.
  4. Cestone E, Spartà E, Nobile V, Zaccaria V, Pappalardo F, Insolia V, Malfa GA, Buonocore D, Dossena M. Efficacy of Oryza Sativa L. (Black Rice) and Opuntia Ficus Indica L. Blend in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Cosmetology & Trichology. 2023;9(3):207. doi: 10.37421/2471-9323.2023.9.207.SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 86 men with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia (82 analyzed) taking 250 mg ActriSave (4.5 to 5.5% anthocyanins, 1 to 2% isorhamnetin and derivatives) or placebo daily for 6 months. Hair density rose 13.9 hairs per square cm versus 0.5 on placebo at 6 months, anagen hairs rose from about 69% to 80.3%, and gains held 1 month after stopping. No adverse events. Two authors are Bionap employees.
  5. Bionap. ActriSave: natural support for skin and male hair (product page). NutraIngredients product innovations. 2024;Published 9 September 2024. Accessed 2026-10-05..SourceUsed to support: Supplier product page, not PubMed-indexed and not peer reviewed. Describes ActriSave as a powdered extract of black rice and prickly pear flowers and states Bionap's view that the black rice anthocyanins and cactus flower flavonoids act synergistically in sebocytes and hair dermal papilla cells.
  6. Sobieraj DM, Freyer CW. Probable hypoglycemic adverse drug reaction associated with prickly pear cactus, glipizide, and metformin in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ann Pharmacother. 2010;44(7-8):1334-7. doi: 10.1345/aph.1P148.PubMedUsed to support: Case report of a 58-year-old man with type 2 diabetes on metformin and glipizide who had four low blood sugar episodes (49 to 68 mg/dL) after eating crude prickly pear cactus pads daily for 2 months; the reaction was rated probable. It concerns cactus pads, not the flowers in ActriSave.