Observation of the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and the Potential Effect of Promoting Hair Growth Treated with Chinese Herbal BeauTop

Abstract

Despite minoxidil and finasteride already being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hair loss, it is important to identify new and innovative treatments for hair loss, such as looking for a solution in Chinese herbal medicine. One such treatment to consider is BeauTop (BT), whose primary ingredients include Panax japonicus (T.Nees), C.A. Mey. (Araliaceae), Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bunge (Fabaceae), Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Apiaceae), Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton (Oleaceae), Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC. (Plantaginaceae), and Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. (Compositae). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether BT can promote hair growth in C57BL/6 mice and to investigate hair coverage, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEFG), and the numbers of hair follicles in growth phase after oral administration. A total of 12 C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups: control group and treatment group BT. BT was administered orally as an extract at a volume of 0.6 g/kg. The control group was treated with distilled water. Each group was treated once a day for 12 consecutive days. To observe the expression of VEGF distribution, the number of hair follicles and the hair coverage were examined on days 4, 8, and 12. By comparing the treatment group and control group, we found that VEGF in the BT group on day 8 presented with a higher area percentage than the control group ( p value = 0.003). Hair follicle counting results showed that the BT group was significantly higher than the control group on day 8 ( p value = 0.031). Furthermore, hair coverage was shown to be significantly increased in the treatment group BT on day 8 ( p value = 0.013). Taken together, these results suggest that Chinese medicine (BT) possesses the potential effect of promoting hair growth through VEGF expression. VEGF is considered the most important mediator for the process of angiogenesis involved in hair growth development.

BFNB Enhances Hair Growth in C57BL/6 Mice through the Induction of EGF and FGF7 Factors and the PI3K-AKT-β-Catenin Pathway

“…It is important to emphasize the capacity of alopecia treatments to promote the transition from the telogen phase to the anagen phase, a critical stage in the hair growth cycle. Several studies have demonstrated that this transition is regulated by several proteins released by hair follicle cells, including growth factors, which work synergistically to stimulate the proliferation of hair follicle cells and facilitate hair growth during the anagen phase [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]34,[42][43][44][45][46]. FGF-7, also known as HGF, is a growth factor released by dermal papilla cells, dermal cells, and to a lesser extent, epidermal cells.…”

“…It has been demonstrated that plant extracts can stimulate hair growth by activating the cell cycle and increasing the expression and activation of various growth factors, such 2 of 19 as epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor 7 and 2 (FGF 7-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25].…”

Phytochemical Constitution, Anti-Inflammation, Anti-Androgen, and Hair Growth-Promoting Potential of Shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) Extract

“…Perifollicular vascularization is extensively active in the anagen phase and correlated with the upregulation of VEGF in follicular keratinocytes, leading to the acceleration of hair regrowth [ 61 ]. The size of hair follicles and the diameter of the hair shaft were also increased due to VEGF [ 62 ]. In addition, the mechanisms of minoxidil involved the upregulation of VEGF and its receptor in hHFDPC, leading to the promotion of angiogenesis in the anagen phase [ 13 ].…”

Panax notoginseng saponins promote hair follicle growth in mice via Wnt/β‐Catenin signaling pathway

“…In research on the effects of Chinese herbal extracts on hair growth, certain Chinese medicines, such as ginseng, red ginseng oil, and Platycladus orientalis , have been demonstrated to exert positive effects on hair growth (Choi, 2018; Truong et al, 2017; Zhang et al, 2016). For example, Chinese herbal medicine BeauTop, the main ingredients including Panax japonicus (T.Nees), can promote hair growth by boosting the expression of VEGF in hair follicles in C57BL/6Jmice (Lee et al, 2021). Jung et al reported that Mangifera Indica leaf extracts promote hair growth via activation of Wnt signaling pathway in human dermal papilla cells (Jung et al, 2022).…”