• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.674-682
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• 2011

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of acupuncture & moxibustion therapy on the hair follicle growth of skin 5 days and 10 days by macroscopic, microscopic and immunohistochemical methods. The results were as follows : Macroscopic hair follicle growth of plum-blossom needle treated group and strong moxibustion treated group was more increase than that of control group. Microscopic hair follicle growth of plum-blossom needle treated group and strong moxibustion treated group was hair growing cycle, anagen phase VI and that of control group and weak moxibustion treated group was hair growing cycle, anagen phase IV. Immunohistochemical observations on the expression of various growth factors, enzyme and receptor in hair follicle cycle after local treatment of acupuncture & moxibustion therapy are as follows: Expression of fibroblast growth factor was more intense in epidermis in plum-blossom needle treated group, epidermis and secondary hair germ cells in strong moxibustion treated group than control group. Expression of epidermal growth factor was more intense in epidermis in all experimental groups, and secondary hair germ cells in moxibustion treated group than control group. Expression of c-kit receptor was more intense in epidermis, secondary hair germ cells, outer root sheath in all experimental groups than control group. Expression of protein kinase C-${\alpha}$ was more intense in epidermis, secondary hair germ cells, outer root sheath in all experimental groups than control group. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was more intense in epidermis, bulge, secondary hair germ cells, outer root sheath in plum-blossom needle treated group and strong moxibustion treated group than control group. We concluded that acupuncture & moxibustion therapy related to the expression of various growth factors, enzymes and receptor on the hair growth cycle for hair growth.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.75-85
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• 2023

This study was conducted to assess the effect of heptapeptide, composed of seven amino acids, on the activation of human hair cells isolated from human hair follicles. We have confirmed that the heptapeptide could bind to Lgr5 from the results of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis. Heptapeptide enhanced the proliferation of human hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HHFDPCs) in a dose dependent manner. It induced the protein level of nuclear β-catenin, and the expressions of β-catenin downstream target genes, including LEF1, Cyc-D1 and c-Myc, in HHFDPCs. Heptapeptide significantly induced the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK, and the mRNA expressions of growth factors, including hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in HHFDPCs. In addition, heptapeptide significantly increased mRNA expression levels of differentiation-related transcription factors of human hair germinal matrix cells (HHGMCs) and differentiation markers of human hair outer root sheath cells (HHORSCs). Additionally, we investigated the effect of heptapeptide on human hair follicle stem cells (HHFSCs) differentiation and found that the heptapeptide reduced the mRNA and protein levels of stem cell markers, while it increased those levels of differentiation markers. These results have indicated that the heptapeptide promotes proliferation or differentiation of various types of hair follicle constituent cells through the induction of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. From the results, we have suggested that the heptapeptide in this study could be applied as a new functional material for the improvement of hair growth and alopecia.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2016

Background: Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is one of the most distressing side effects for patients undergoing chemotherapy. This study evaluated the protective effect of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on CIA in a well-established in vitro human hair follicle organ culture model as it occurs in vivo. Methods: We examined whether KRG can prevent premature hair follicle dystrophy in a human hair follicle organ culture model during treatment with a key cyclophosphamide metabolite, 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC). Results: 4-HC inhibited human hair growth, induced premature catagen development, and inhibited proliferation and stimulated apoptosis of hair matrix keratinocytes. In addition, 4-HC increased p53 and Bax protein expression and decreased Bcl2 protein expression. Pretreatment with KRG protected against 4-HC-induced hair growth inhibition and premature catagen development. KRG also suppressed 4-HC-induced inhibition of matrix keratinocyte proliferation and stimulation of matrix keratinocyte apoptosis. Moreover, KRG restored 4-HC-induced p53 and Bax/Bcl2 expression. Conclusion: Overall, our results indicate that KRG may protect against 4-HC-induced premature catagen development through modulation of p53 and Bax/Bcl2 expression.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.297-304
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• 2014

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a plant native to Europe and has been widely used as a carminative and gastric stimulant worldwide. This plant also has been used in cosmetic formulations as a fragrance component and skin conditioning agent. This study investigated the effect of peppermint oil on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice. The animals were randomized into 4 groups based on different topical applications: saline (SA), jojoba oil (JO), 3% minoxidil (MXD), and 3% peppermint oil (PEO). The hair growth effects of the 4-week topical applications were evaluated in terms of hair growth, histological analysis, enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gene expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), known bio-markers for the enhanced hair growth. Of the 4 experimental groups, PEO group showed the most prominent hair growth effects; a significant increase in dermal thickness, follicle number, and follicle depth. ALP activity and IGF-1 expression also significantly increased in PEO group. Body weight gain and food efficiency were not significantly different between groups. These results suggest that PEO induces a rapid anagen stage and could be used for a practical agent for hair growth without change of body weight gain and food efficiency.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.178-183
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• 2014

The objective of this study is to find out the effect of yeast on hair loss treatment and the role of hair follicle stem cell activator, which is important in hair growth. The authors have recently produced a substance, which has no disgusting odor, does not precipitates and does not easily corrupt, to use instead of yeast acquired from raw rice wine(Makgeolli). The substance is named Yeast Constituent Extract(YCE). In this research, the Produced YCE was applied on the hair loss area of 10 Androgenic alopecia patients, twice every day for 6 months, in order to test the effect of hair loss treatment and the role of stem cell activator. As a result, all of the patients showed a significant growth of hair after 3 months of test, and showed much more growing, thickening and strengthening of hair after 6 months. As a result of measuring the number of hair strings in the same scalp region of the patients after 6 months, it is found that the density of hair has increased, indicating that the hair loss treatment was effective. Also the hair follicle stem cell was isolated from the patients and the contents of growth factors (IGF, VEGF, FGF, HGF) derived from hair follicle stem cell were measured with ELISA. As result, the amount is found to be about 10 times greater than before the test. The hair follicle stem cell contains many growth factors that affect growth of hair, so it takes a highly important role in hair loss treatment. The YCE that the authors have produced was found to be effective in increasing the contents of growth factors that are derived from hair follicle stem cell. Thus it can be inferred that the YCE plays a role as a stem cell activator that activates the hair follicle stem cells. In conclusion, the YCE is considered to be highly effective for hair loss treatment and to have a role as a stem cell activator.

• Korea Journal of Cosmetic Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2019

Caffeine is widely used in cosmetics and hair care products. Although its efficacy in stimulating hair growth has been confirmed in recent studies, its mechanism of action remains unelucidated. The present study aimed to determine the effects of caffeine on hair growth, with a focus on intracellular hair follicle activity. Experiments included in vitro and ex vivo tests, and a clinical study. Caffeine enhanced the cellular activity and potassium channel opening. It also promoted human hair follicle elongation. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the Ki-67 signal was significantly higher in cells treated with caffeine. These efficacies of caffeine were comprehensively demonstrated in clinical results, wherein caffeine-containing shampoo improved hair density after 24 weeks of testing. Collectively, the results of this study demonstrated that caffeine promoted hair growth and inhibited the progression of hair loss by enhancing intracellular activity of hair follicles.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.2-9
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• 2023

Hair follicles in the skin undergo cyclic rounds of regeneration, degeneration, and rest throughout life. Stem cells residing in hair follicles play a pivotal role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and hair growth cycles. Research on hair follicle aging and age-related hair loss has demonstrated that a decline in hair follicle stem cell (HFSC) activity with aging can decrease the regeneration capacity of hair follicles. This review summarizes our understanding of how age-associated HFSC intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms can induce HFSC aging and hair loss. In addition, we discuss approaches developed to attenuate ageassociated changes in HFSCs and their niches, thereby promoting hair regrowth.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.103-108
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to determine the hair growth effects of lavender oil (LO) in female C57BL/6 mice. The experimental animals were divided into a normal group (N: saline), a vehicle control group (VC: jojoba oil), a positive control group (PC: 3% minoxidil), experimental group 1 (E1: 3% LO), and experimental group 2 (E2: 5% LO). Test compound solutions were topically applied to the backs of the mice ($100{\mu}L$ per application), once per day, 5 times a week, for 4 weeks. The changes in hair follicle number, dermal thickness, and hair follicle depth were observed in skin tissues stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and the number of mast cells was measured in the dermal and hypodermal layers stained with toluidine blue. PC, E1, and E2 groups showed a significantly increased number of hair follicles, deepened hair follicle depth, and thickened dermal layer, along with a significantly decreased number of mast cells compared to the N group. These results indicated that LO has a marked hair growth-promoting effect, as observed morphologically and histologically. There was no significant difference in the weight of the thymus among the groups. However, both absolute and relative weights of the spleen were significantly higher in the PC group than in the N, VC, E1, or E2 group at week 4. Thus, LO could be practically applied as a hair growth-promoting agent.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.349-357
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• 2010

We have examined the histological changes of skin during hair follicle growth after depilation in C57BL/6N mice. We first studied on histological changes of number of mast cells and thickness of skin during hair follicle growth periods (telogen, 1 day, 3 day, 5 day, 10 day, 14 day, 17 day and 21 day after depilation) by toluidine blue, Giemsa and H&E staining methods. We second studied immunoreactive density of cytokines and Brdu labeled cells in skin during hair follicle growth periods after depilation in C57BL/6N mice by immunohistochemical methods. The histological changes on skin thickness was increased from telogen to 14 day. The number of mast cells was decreased in 3,5 and 10 day and increased in 14, 17 and 20 day after depilation. Immunoreactive density of cytokines [protein kinase C-${\alpha}$ (PKC-${\alpha}$), c-kit, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)] in 1, 3, 5, 10, and 14 day after depilation was mildly stained in bulge and cutaneous trunci m., but immunoreactive density of cytokines in 17 and 21 day was heavily stained in epidermis, bulge, outer root sheath (ORS), inner root sheath (IRS) and cutaneous trunci m.. Immunoreactive density of Brdu labeled cells in skin in 1 and 3 day was heavily stained in bulge, epidermis and connective tissue under the cutaneous trunci m.. In all periods, immunoreactive density of Brdu labeled cells in skin was heavily stained in bulge, subcutaneous tissue, cutaneous trunci m, ORS and IRS. These experiments suggest that histological changes related to hair follicle growth elevated mast cell counts, skin thickness and epidermis thickness and heavily stained immunoreactive density of cytokines and Brdu labeled cutaneous trunci m. and connective tissue under the cutaneous trunci m. after depilation in C57BL/6N mice.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.204-215
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• 2024

This study was designed to examine the effect of Lactilactobacillus curvatus LB-P9 on hair regeneration. The treatment of LB-P9 conditioned medium increased the proliferation of both hair follicle dermal papilla cells and hair germinal matrix cells (hGMCs). Moreover, the expression levels of hair growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 7 were significantly elevated in hGMCs co-cultured with LB-P9. After time-synchronized depilation, mice were orally administered with either 4×10⁷ colony forming unit (CFU) of LB-P9 (low dose) or 4×10⁸ CFU of LB-P9 (high dose), once daily for 4 weeks. Compared with the vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline)-administrated group, the LB-P9-treated groups exhibited accelerated hair regrowth rate and enhanced hair thickness in a dose-dependent manner. Supporting this observation, both hair follicle numbers and the dermal thickness in skin tissues of the LB-P9-treated groups were increased, compared to those of the vehicle-treated group. These results might be explained by the increased level of β-catenin and number of hair follicle stem cells (CD34⁺ CD49f⁺ cells) in the skin tissues of mice administered with LB-P9, compared to the vehicle-treated mice. Also, increased serum levels of hair growth factors such as VEGF and insulin-like growth factor-1, and superoxide dismutase were found in the LB-P9-treated groups, compared to those of the vehicle-treated group. Taken together, these results might demonstrate that the oral administration of LB-P9 promotes hair regeneration by the enhancement of dermal papilla proliferation through the stimulation of hair growth factor production.