Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia Based on Animal Experiments: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background. In the present study, we systematically evaluated the effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in rodent models (rats and mice) to provide potential evidence for the treatment of AGA by TCM. Methods. Previous research papers focusing on the treatment of AGA by TCM were retrieved from various electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, Vip, Wanfang data, and CBM) up to October 30, 2021. Screening of the literature was performed independently, and data were extracted and assessed. A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results. When compared with the model groups, a group of C57BL/6 mice treated with TCM showed an increase in the total number of hair follicles (mean difference [MD] = 11.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] [5.94,18.03], P = 0.0001 ), as well as a decrease in serum testosterone (T) level (MD = −1.10, 95% CI [−1.43, −0.78], P < 0.00001 ), skin discoloration time (MD = −2.93, 95% CI [−4.03, −1.84], P < 0.00001 ), and skin hair growth time (MD = −3.16, 95% CI [−4.16, −2.16], P < 0.00001 ). Terminal hair/vellus hair also increased in TCM-treated AGA animals (MD = 3.02, 95% CI [2.05, 3.98], P < 0.00001 ). No significant difference was found in serum estradiol (E2) level, skin tissue E2 level, or skin tissue T level between the TCM-treated group and the model group. Conclusion. TCM can increase the total number of hair follicles and terminal hair/vellus hair ratio, and reduce skin discoloration time and skin hair growth time in AGA animal models. These effects may be related to the reduction of the serum T level in AGA animals. These conclusions need to be verified by high-quality studies as the current analysis may be affected by the number and quality of the studies identified.

Study on the Efficacy and Potential Mechanism of Topical Shen Bai Hair Growing Decoction against Androgenetic Alopecia Based on Ultrahigh Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry and RNA-seq

“…According to TCM theory, hair growth is intricately linked to the cyclical fluctuations of vital essence and blood within the kidneys, as well as the nourishment of qi and blood, and classifies hair loss into the following four main syndrome types: (i) dampness and heat in the spleen and stomach; (ii) blood-heat and wind-dryness; (iii) blood deficiency and wind-dryness; (iv) liver and kidney deficiency. The respective therapeutic approaches can be succinctly outlined as follows: stimulating the spleen and inducing dampness; cooling blood and moistening dryness; nourishing blood and dispelling wind; and nourishing the liver and kidneys . In China, numerous TCMs have been employed to enhance blood circulation, nourish the liver and kidneys, clear heat, and remove toxicity .…”

“…The respective therapeutic approaches can be succinctly outlined as follows: stimulating the spleen and inducing dampness; cooling blood and moistening dryness; nourishing blood and dispelling wind; and nourishing the liver and kidneys. 12 In China, numerous TCMs have been employed to enhance blood circulation, nourish the liver and kidneys, clear heat, and remove toxicity. 13 Modern medicine has found that Chinese herbal drugs can mitigate hair loss by modulating hair growth factors and inhibiting apoptosis, with the benefit of fewer side effects and significant results.…”

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

“…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). A recent meta‐analysis reported that traditional Chinese medicine can increase the total number of hair follicles and terminal hair/vellus hair ratio, and reduce skin discoloration time and skin hair growth time in animal models of androgenetic alopecia (Liang et al, 2022).…”