Hair Growth is Promoted in Mouse Dorsal Skin by a Mixture of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco Leaf Extract and Alpha-Terpineol by Increasing Growth Factors and wnt3/β-Catenin

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effect of a mixture of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco leaf extract and α-terpineol, a natural monoterpene alcohol (PEaT), on hair growth and its mechanisms. C57/BL6 mice (total n = 14) in the telogen phase of hair growth were used. Either distilled water as vehicle or PEaT was topically applied to the dorsal skin for 17 days. Chronological hair growth change was examined by hair growth-promoting scores. In addition, to find out mechanisms of PEaT on hair growth, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Ki-67, wnt3, and β-catenin expressions were investigated by using immunohistochemistry. We found that PEaT remarkably promoted hair growth by inducing early anagen transition compared with the control group. In addition, treatment with PEaT significantly increased numbers of Ki-67-positive cells and expressions of IGF-1, VEGF, wnt3, and β-catenin in the outer root sheath. These results indicate that PEaT used in this study might be a good hair growth promoter, showing that PEaT treatment increased growth factors and cell proliferation through upregulation of wnt3 and β-catenin expressions.

Pinus thunbergii bark extract rich in flavonoids promotes hair growth in dorsal skin by regulating inflammatory cytokines and increasing growth factors in mice

“…In 2001, Yano et al ( 10 ) reported that hair follicle-derived VEGF enhanced perifollicular angiogenesis and increased the number and size of hair follicles in mouse dorsal skin. Furthermore, in 2020, Ahn et al ( 8 ) reported that topical application with a mixture of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco (Cupressaceae family) leaf extract and α-terpineol promoted hair growth in mouse dorsal skin by elevating both IGF-I and VEGF levels in the hair follicles. Taken together, the phenolic compounds including flavonoids present in the PBE were indicated to contribute to hair growth promotion by increasing IGF and VEGF.…”

“…The HGPS was recorded as described previously ( 8 ). In short, it was scored by observing the skin with the naked eye based on the criteria of hair growth stages as follows: 0, pink-colored shaved skin; 1, gray-colored shaved skin; 2, black-colored shaved skin; 3, initiation of hair growth on the shaved skin; 4, completely grown hair on the shaved skin.…”

“…Immunoreactivity for each analyte protein in each group was evaluated using the relative optical density (ROD) of each immunoreactive structure according to a previously described method ( 3 , 8 ). In brief, five sections per mouse were used and observed using a light microscope (BX53) from Olympus Corporation, as described in the chapter on H&E staining.…”

“…Certain studies have suggested that abnormal inflammatory response in the hair follicles may affect hair loss ( 6 , 7 ). In addition, growth factors have a pivotal role in hair regrowth and elongation ( 8 – 10 ). Therefore, the modulation of inflammatory response by inflammatory cytokines and the enhancement of growth factors represent crucial approaches in the management of hair loss ( 3 , 8 , 11 ).…”

Micro-Current Stimulation Has Potential Effects of Hair Growth-Promotion on Human Hair Follicle-Derived Papilla Cells and Animal Model

“…However, among the various growth factor we analyzed, there is no difference in only VEGF-A expression from all groups. VEGF-A is known to play a key role in hair growth by supplying nutrients to the hair follicle and increasing follicle size [ 61 , 72 ]. Although this study has not shown the data regarding follicle size in each group, it can be seen that each group had a similar follicle size as shown in Figure 4 B.…”