Clinical Approach to the Patient With Alopecia

Biotransformation of Cacumen platycladi Extract by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CCFM1348 Promotes Hair Growth in Mice

Cacumen platycladi (CP) is a frequently used traditional Chinese medicine to treat hair loss. In this study, CP fermented by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CCFM1348 increased the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells. In an in vivo assay, compared to nonfermented CP, postbiotics (fermented CP) and synbiotics (live bacteria with nonfermented CP) promoted hair growth in mice. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays crucial roles in the development of hair follicles, including growth cycle restart and maintenance. Both postbiotics and synbiotics upregulated β-catenin, a major factor of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Postbiotics and synbiotics also increased the vascular endothelial growth factor expression and decreased the BAX/Bcl2 ratio in the dorsal skin of mice. These results suggest that fermented CP by L. plantarum CCFM1348 may promote hair growth through regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, promoting the expression of growth factors and reducing apoptosis.

Schizochytrium sp. Extracted Lipids Prevent Alopecia by Enhancing Antioxidation and Inhibiting Ferroptosis of Dermal Papilla Cells

Alopecia has gradually become a problem that puzzles an increasing number of people. Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) play an important role in hair follicle (HF) growth; thus, exploring the effective chemicals or natural extracts that can remediate the growth of DPCs is vital. Our results showed that Schizochytrium sp.-extracted lipids (SEL) significantly promoted proliferation (up to 1.13 times) and survival ratio (up to 2.45 times) under oxidative stress. The treatment with SEL can protect DPCs against oxidative stress damage, reducing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level by 90.7%. The relative gene transcription and translation were thoroughly analyzed using RNA-Seq, RT-qPCR, and Western blot to explore the mechanism. Results showed that SEL significantly inhibited the ferroptosis pathway and promoted the expression of antioxidant genes (up to 1.55-3.52 times). The in vivo application of SEL improved hair growth, with the length of new hair increasing by 16.7% and the length of new HF increasing by 92.6%, and the period of telogen shortening increased by 40.0%. This study proposes a novel therapeutic option for alopecia, with the effect and regulation mechanism of SEL on DPC systematically clarified.

Molecular Pathways Involved in Promoting Activity of Timosaponin BII on Hair Growth in C57BL/6 Mice

Hair loss is a common disease in dermatology, while the approved drugs may have unpredictable side effects. In this study, the effect of timosaponin BII extracted from Anemarrhena asphodeloides on hair growth of C57BL/6 mice was investigated by measuring the hair follicle morphology, hair growth length and area in C57BL/6 male mice, and the immunohistochemical analysis of β-catenin, Wnt3a, and Wnt10b in the dorsal skins of mice after topical application with minoxidil and timosaponin BII for 15 days. The decrease in skin brightness, the increase in the regrowing area of hair and hair follicles numbers, and the improvement of hair follicle morphology in the group applied with 0.5% timosaponin BII indicated an induction of the anagen phase in telogenic mice skin, which were comparative to the 2% minoxidil treatment. The immunohistochemical analysis detected an increase in the expression of β-catenin and Wnt10b, supporting the theory of the activation of the β-catenin/Wnt pathway was one of the pathways that are related to anagen phase induction. Anemarrhena asphodeloides is a herb commonly used for metabolic disorders in China. The present study is the first to show that the timosaponin BII, which is present at a high concentration in A. asphodeloides, promotes hair growth in C57BL/6 male mice. The results indicate that timosaponin BII may be a potential promoting agent for hair growth.

Childhood Alopecia Areata: An Overview of Treatment and Recent Patents

BACKGROUND

Alopecia Areata (AA) is a systemic autoimmune condition that usually starts in childhood.

OBJECTIVE

This article aims to review genetics, therapy, prognosis, and recent patents for AA.

METHODS

We used clinical queries and keywords "alopecia areata" AND "childhood" as a search engine. Patents were searched using the key term "alopecia areata" in Patents.google.com and freepatentsonline. com.

RESULTS

Due to an immune-mediated damage to the hair follicles, hair is lost from the scalp and other areas of the body temporarily or even permanently. Children with AA are generally healthy. Evidence of genetic association and increased predisposition for AA was found by studying families with affected members. Pathophysiologically, T- lymphocytes attack hair follicles and cause inflammation and destruction of the hair follicles and hair loss. In mild cases, there would be well-demarcated round patchy scalp hair loss. The pathognomonic "exclamation mark hairs" may be seen at the lesion periphery. In more severe cases, the hair loss may affect the whole scalp and even the whole body. The clinical course is also variable, which may range from transient episodes of recurrent patchy hair loss to an indolent gradually deteriorating severe hair loss. The treatment of AA depends on factors including patients' age, the extent of the hair loss, duration of disease, psychological impact, availability and side effect profile of the treatments. For localized patchy alopecia, topical application of corticosteroids and/or intralesional corticosteroids are the treatment of choice. Other topical treatments include minoxidil, anthralin, coal tar and immunotherapy. In severe resistant cases, systemic immunosuppressants may be considered. Although herbal medicine, acupuncture, complementary and alternative medicine may be tried on children in some Asian communities, the evidence to support these practices is lacking. To date, only a few recent patents exist in topical treatments, including Il-31, laser and herbal medications. Clinical efficacy is pending for these treatment modalities.

CONCLUSION

None of the established therapeutic options are curative. However, newer treatment modalities, including excimer laser, interleukin-31 antibodies and biologics, are evolving so that there may be significant advances in treatment in the near future. AA can be psychosocially devastating. It is important to assess the quality of life, degree of anxiety, social phobia and mood of the patients and their families. Psychological support is imperative for those who are adversely affected psychosocially.

Managing hair loss in midlife women

Hair is considered one of the most defining aspects of human appearance. Hair loss, or alopecia in women is often met with significant emotional distress and anxiety. In midlife, women may encounter various hormonal and age-related physiologic changes that can lead to alterations in hair texture and growth. The most significant hormonal alteration is the onset of menopause in which there is a cessation of ovarian estrogen production. This decrease in estrogen is known to have deleterious effects on the skin and cutaneous appendages. As our understanding of the molecular and hormonal controls on the hair follicle has grown, there has been increased interest in the various modulators of hair growth, including the potential role of estrogen. Further study of hair changes in midlife women provides an important opportunity for identification of the complex regulation of hair growth as well as identification of treatment targets that may specifically benefit women. In this review, management of hair loss in midlife women is discussed with a focus on three most commonly encountered clinical conditions: female pattern hair loss, hair shaft alterations due to hair care, and telogen effluvium.

Development and evaluation of polyherbal formulation for hair growth?promoting activity

BACKGROUND

Cuscuta reflexa (Roxb.), Citrullus colocynthis (Schrad.), and Eclipta alba (Hassk.) are traditionally acclaimed herbs for their hair growth-promoting potential. Aim In the present study, it was envisaged to prepare herbal formulations containing petroleum ether extracts of the three herbs in varying ratio and evaluating the formulations for the hair growth-promoting activity.

METHODS

The formulations as well as minoxidil (2%) solution (positive control) were applied topically on shaved skin of rats, and the time required for initiation and completion of hair growth cycle was recorded.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Hair growth initiation time was markedly reduced to one third on treatment with the prepared formulation compared with control animals. The time required for complete hair growth was also reduced by 32%. Quantitative analysis of hair growth cycle after treatment with formulations and minoxidil (2%) exhibited greater number of hair follicles in anagenic phase compared with control. The results thus corroborate with the traditionally acclaimed hair growth-promoting capabilities of the plants. The prepared formulation also holds potential for treatment of alopecia.