Hair Growth Promoting Effect of 4HGF Encapsulated with PGA Nanoparticles (PGA-4HGF) by β-Catenin Activation and Its Related Cell Cycle Molecules

Abstract

Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA)-based nanoparticles draw remarkable attention as drug delivery agents due to their controlled release characteristics, low toxicity, and biocompatibility. 4HGF is an herbal mixture of Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice, Cordyceps militaris grown on germinated soybeans, Polygonum multiflorum, Ficus carica, and Cocos nucifera oil. Here, we encapsulated 4HGF within PGA-based hydrogel nanoparticles, prepared by simple ionic gelation with chitosan, to facilitate its penetration into hair follicles (HFs). In this study, we report the hair promoting activity of 4HGF encapsulated with PGA nanoparticles (PGA-4HGF) and their mechanism, compared to 4HGF alone. The average size of spherical nanoparticles was ~400 nm in diameter. Continuous release of PGA-4HGF was observed in a simulated physiological condition. As expected, PGA-4HGF treatment increased hair length, induced earlier anagen initiation, and elongated the duration of the anagen phase in C57BL/6N mice, compared with free 4HGF treatment. PGA-4HGF significantly increased dermal papilla cell proliferation and induced cell cycle progression. PGA-4HGF also significantly increased the total amount of β-catenin protein expression, a stimulator of the anagen phase, through induction of cyclinD1 and CDK4 protein levels, compared to free 4HGF treatment. Our findings underscore the potential of PGA nanocapsules to efficiently deliver 4HGF into HFs, hence promoting hair-growth. Therefore, PGA-4HGF nanoparticles may be promising therapeutic agents for hair growth disorders.

<p>Poly(γ-Glutamic Acid)/Chitosan Hydrogel Nanoparticles For Effective Preservation And Delivery Of Fermented Herbal Extract For Enlarging Hair Bulb And Enhancing Hair Growth</p>

“…DPCs are multipotent hair follicle stem cells, which are stimulated to differentiate and proliferate during regrowth of hair follicles 40–42. It has also been reported that the morphology of stem cell-like DPCs is flattened and polygonal,43 which is closely associated with the enlargement of hair bulb 26,42,44,45. Thus, we investigated whether PGA-4HGF treatment induces morphological changes in primary DPCs.…”

“…As this new hydrogel formulation has the potential to deliver hair growth-promoting compounds more efficiently into hair follicles, it can be potentially utilized in the field of hair-care cosmeceuticals. Further studies demonstrating the mechanisms underlying promotion of hair growth,26 as well as human testing are underway in our group, with an aim to launch new PGA-4HGF-based hair growth-promoting products in the market.…”

“…Primary DPCs were isolated from the hair bulbs of C57BL/6N mice, and cultured as previously described 26. Cells (1 × 10 4 cells/well) were seeded in a 96-well plate and then incubated in the presence or absence of 5% (v/v) PGA-4HGF, PGA-control without 4HGF, or free 4HGF, dissolved in cell culture media.…”

“…Dorsal skin (3 × 4 cm 2 ) were shaved using hair removal cream (BIKIRO cream, thioglycolic acid 80%; Tai Guk Pharm. Co. Ltd., Gyeonggi, Korea) as previously described 26. Next, the shaved dorsal skin was treated with 200 μL of samples (distilled water (DW), PGA-control without 4HGF, PGA-4HGF, and free 4HGF) for 12 days.…”

Germinated Rhynchosia nulubilis Fermented with Lactobacillus pentosus SC65 Reduces Particulate Matter Induced Type II Alveolar Epithelial Apoptotic Cell Death

“…Western blotting was performed as previously described [ 63 ]. Briefly, A549 cells (1 × 10 6 ) were incubated for 6 h in 6 well plates, pre-treated with GR and GR-SC65 (100 μg/mL) for 1 h, followed by treatment with PM (100 μg/mL).…”