Enhancement of Human Hair Growth Using Ecklonia cava Polyphenols

Synergistic therapeutic effect of ginsenoside Rg3 modified minoxidil transfersomes (MXD-Rg3@TFs) on androgenic alopecia in C57BL/6 mice

Inflammation in hair follicles will reduce the effectiveness of minoxidil (MXD) in the treatment of androgen alopecia (AGA) caused by elevated androgen levels. To target multiple physiological and pathological processes in AGA, a novel natural bioactive compound modified transfersomes (MXD-Rg3@TFs) was prepared to replace cholesterol that may disrupt hair growth, with ginsenosides Rg3 (Rg3) that have anti-inflammatory effects on AGA. The effects of MXD, Rg3 and their combination on AGA were evaluated using dihydrotestosterone (DHT) induced human dermal papilla cells (DPCs), and the results showed that the combination of MXD and Rg3 can significantly promote the proliferation, reduce the level of intracellular ROS and inflammatory factors, and inhibit the aging of DHT induced DPCs. Compared with cholesterol membrane transfersomes (MXD-Ch@TFs), MXD-Rg3@TFs has similar deformability, smaller particle size and better stability. MXD-Rg3@TFs has also significant advantages in shortening telogen phase and prolonging the growth period of hair follicles in C57BL/6 mice than MXD-Ch@TFs and commercial MXD tincture. The prominent ability of MXD-Rg3@TFs to inhibit the conversion of testosterone to DHT and reduce the level of inflammatory factors suggested that Rg3 and MXD in MXD-Rg3@TFs have synergistic effect on AGA therapy. MXD-Ch@TFs with no irritation to C57BL/6 mice skin is expected to reduce the dose of MXD and shorten the treatment time, which would undoubtedly provide a promising therapeutic option for treatment of AGA.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino extract induces hair growth and exhibits an anti-graying effect via multiple mechanisms

BACKGROUND

In traditional Asian medicine, Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino leaf extract (Gp) is used to treat aging, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. Hair loss and hair-graying are common phenomena that haunt everyone. However, whether Gp activities on inhibition of hair loss and getting gray have been rarely studied.

AIM

Study the Gp activity and mechanism by in vivo and in vitro experiments to explore its application on hair health.

METHODS

In the present study, we determined the effects of Gp on the expression of hair growth-related genes and proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). Furthermore, Gp was topically applied to the hair-shaved skin of male C57BL/6 mice, and the histological profile of the skin was studied. Because emotional stress may lead to melanocyte disappearance, norepinephrine-exposed mice B16 melanocytes were treated with Gp to elucidate the anti-hair graying capacity of Gp in response to this stress type.

RESULTS

Gp stimulated the proliferation of hDPCs and the Wnt signaling pathways associated with hair growth; furthermore, the expression of the hair loss-related gene transforming growth factor-β1 was suppressed. Gp treatment significantly increased the size of hair follicles in the treated mice and stimulated them. Moreover, Gp not only increased melanin synthesis but also tyrosinase activity in B16 cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that Gp increased melanin synthesis by increasing the expression of tyrosine-related protein-1, tyrosine-related protein-2, tyrosinase, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides preclinical evidence regarding the potential of Gp as a promising hair growth and anti-graying agent.

Effect of Marine-Derived Saccharides on Human Skin Fibroblasts and Dermal Papilla Cells

The skin is the largest organ of the human body, composed of a diverse range of cell types, non-cellular components, and an extracellular matrix. With aging, molecules that are part of the extracellular matrix undergo qualitative and quantitative changes and the effects, such as a loss of skin firmness or wrinkles, can be visible. The changes caused by the aging process do not only affect the surface of the skin, but also extend to skin appendages such as hair follicles. In the present study, the ability of marine-derived saccharides, L-fucose and chondroitin sulphate disaccharide, to support skin and hair health and minimize the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic aging was investigated. The potential of the tested samples to prevent adverse changes in the skin and hair through stimulation of natural processes, cellular proliferation, and production of extracellular matrix components collagen, elastin, or glycosaminoglycans was investigated. The tested compounds, L-fucose and chondroitin sulphate disaccharide, supported skin and hair health, especially in terms of anti-aging effects. The obtained results indicate that both ingredients support and promote the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and dermal papilla cells, provide cells with a supply of sulphated disaccharide GAG building blocks, increase ECM molecule production (collagen and elastin) by HDFa, and support the growth phase of the hair cycle (anagen).

Dietary marine-derived ingredients for stimulating hair cell cycle

In normal condition human hair growth occurs through three phases, anagen (growth phase included about 85 % of hairs, last from 2 to 6 years), catagen (transitional phase lasting up to 2 weeks) and telogen (resting phase which last from 1 to 4 months). Natural dynamics of the hair growth process can be impaired by several factors, such as genetic predisposition, hormonal disorders, aging, poor nutrition or stress, which can lead to the slowdown in the growth of hair or even hair loss. The aim of the study was to assess the hair growth promotion effect of marine-derived ingredients, hair supplement Viviscal® and its raw components (marine protein complex AminoMarC®, shark and oyster extract). Cytotoxicity, production of alkaline phosphatase and glycosaminoglycans, as well as expression of genes involved in hair cycle-related pathways were investigated using dermal papilla cells, both immortalized and primary cell lines. Tested marine compounds showed no evidence of cytotoxicity under in vitro conditions. Viviscal® significantly increased proliferation of dermal papilla cells. Moreover, tested samples stimulated cells to produce alkaline phosphatase and glycosaminoglycans. Increased expression of hair cell cycle-related genes was also observed. The obtained results indicate that marine-derived ingredients stimulate hair growth through anagen activation.

Biomolecules of Fermented Tropical Fruits and Fermenting Microbes as Regulators of Human Hair Loss, Hair Quality, and Scalp Microbiota

Plant-derived secondary metabolites (polyphenols/terpenes/alkaloids) and microbial exometabolites/membrane components of fermented tropical fruits are known as highly bioavailable biomolecules causing skin and hair improvement effects (wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiacne, skin/hair microbiota balancing, hair growth-promoting, and hair loss-inhibiting). Caffein is considered as a hair growth promoter. A randomized placebo- and caffein-controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of fermented papaya (FP) plus fermented mangosteen (FM) towards human hair quality and loss was conducted. Shampoo and lotion hair care products containing FP, FM, and caffein as active agents were developed and applied to 154 subjects of both sexes with clinically confirmed androgenic or diffuse alopecia for 3 months. Their clinical efficacy was assessed subjectively by questionnaires filled in by dermatologists/trichologists, and by the objective trichomicroscopical calculations. Hair and scalp skin quality was determined by microbiota pattern and ATP, SH-groups, protein, and malonyl dialdehyde quantification. Comparative clinical data showed that the experimental hair care cosmetics significantly inhibited hair loss, increased hair density/thickness, and improved hair follicle structure versus placebo and caffein controls. The cosmetics with FP and FM substantially normalized the microbiota pattern and increased ATP content in hair follicle, while inhibiting lipid peroxidation in the scalp skin, and SH-group formation in the hair shaft.

Role and Mechanisms of Phytochemicals in Hair Growth and Health

Hair health is associated with personal distress and psychological well-being. Even though hair loss (alopecia) does not affect humans' biological health, it affects an individual's social well-being. So, treatment for hair problems and improving hair health are obligatory. Several pharmacological and cosmeceutical treatment procedures are available to manage hair loss and promote growth. Several factors associated with hair health include genetics, disease or disorder, drugs, lifestyle, chemical exposure, and unhealthy habits such as smoking, diet, and stress. Synthetic and chemical formulations have side effects, so people are moving towards natural compounds-based remedies for their hair problems. The history of using phytochemicals for hair health has been documented anciently. However, scientific studies on hair loss have accelerated in recent decades. The current review summarizes the type of alopecia, the factor affecting hair health, alopecia treatments, phytochemicals' role in managing hair loss, and the mechanisms of hair growth-stimulating properties of phytochemicals. The literature survey suggested that phytochemicals are potent candidates for developing treatment procedures for different hair problems. Further detailed studies are needed to bring the scientific evidence to market.

Hair Growth Promotion Effect of Nelumbinis Semen Extract with High Antioxidant Activity

This study investigated the hair regeneration promotion and hair loss prevention properties of Nelumbinis Semen (NS) extract in vitro and in vivo. The effect of NS on the proliferation and migration of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) was measured in vitro via CCK-8 and scratch migration assays, after which the antioxidant activity of NS was also quantified. NS extracts were then applied to the back of 7-week-old C57BL/6 mice for 3 weeks to monitor hair growth patterns and hair follicle (HF) histology. The mice were divided into three groups: negative control group (NC; DMSO), positive control group (PC; 3% minoxidil), and experimental group (NS extract 1,000 ppm). Moreover, to study the molecular mechanisms by which NS extract regenerates hair growth, real-time PCR was used to analyze factors related to the hair growth cycle. The NS extracts were found to possess high antioxidant properties due to their high flavonoid contents and electron-donating ability. Moreover, NS extracts enhanced hDPC proliferation and migration in a concentration-dependent manner (15.63–125 ppm). The hair growth index and growth area of the NS group (2.81 score, 81%) on day 14 were higher than those of the PC group (2.65 score, 68%) (p < 0.05). Additionally, the HFs of the NS group were located deep in the subcutis, similar to the PC group with developed hair roots. Moreover, the mRNA expression of VEGF and IGF-1 was higher in the NS group compared to the PC group, whereas TGF-β1 expression was lower (p < 0.05). Our findings indicate that NS modulates hair growth by increasing IGF-1 and VEGF expression while inhibiting that of TGF-β1. Therefore, our findings suggest that NS extract is a promising new hair loss treatment derived from a natural substance that helps promote hair growth and prevent hair loss.

The Potential Role of Nutraceuticals as an Adjuvant in Breast Cancer Patients to Prevent Hair Loss Induced by Endocrine Therapy

Nutraceuticals, natural dietary and botanical supplements offering health benefits, provide a basis for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Use of CAM by healthy individuals and patients with medical conditions is rapidly increasing. For the majority of breast cancer patients, treatment plans involve 5–10 yrs of endocrine therapy, but hair loss/thinning is a common side effect. Many women consider this significant, severely impacting on quality of life, even leading to non-compliance of therapy. Therefore, nutraceuticals that stimulate/maintain hair growth can be proposed. Although nutraceuticals are often available without prescription and taken at the discretion of patients, physicians can be reluctant to recommend them, even as adjuvants, since potential interactions with endocrine therapy have not been fully elucidated. It is, therefore, important to understand the modus operandi of ingredients to be confident that their use will not interfere/interact with therapy. The aim is to improve clinical/healthcare outcomes by combining specific nutraceuticals with conventional care whilst avoiding detrimental interactions. This review presents the current understanding of nutraceuticals beneficial to hair wellness and outcomes concerning efficacy/safety in breast cancer patients. We will focus on describing endocrine therapy and the role of estrogens in cancer and hair growth before evaluating the effects of natural ingredients on breast cancer and hair growth.

Fisetin Promotes Hair Growth by Augmenting TERT Expression

Although thinning hair and alopecia are not recognized as severe diseases, hair loss has implications for mental health and quality of life; therefore, a large number of studies have been carried out to develop novel hair growth agents. In the present study, we aimed to examine the potential of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), because TERT overexpression in skin activates resting hair follicle bulge stem cells, which triggers initiation of a new hair follicle growth phase and promotes hair synthesis. To this end, we screened polyphenols that activate TERT expression in keratinocytes, and identified resveratrol and fisetin as strong hTERT-augmenting compounds. These polyphenols also regulated the gene expression of cytokines such as IGF-1 and KGF, which activate the β-catenin pathway, and TGF-β1, which plays an important role in maintaining the niche of hair follicle stem cells, thus are thought to play roles in promoting hair growth. We additionally showed that these polyphenols, especially fisetin, promoted hair growth from the shaved dorsal skin of mice, which suggests that these polyphenols activate the transition from telogen to anagen phase. Histological studies indicated that the dorsal skin of mice treated with these polyphenols contained numerous hair follicles and was thickened compared with that in control mice. Furthermore, on the dorsal skin of mice treated with resveratrol and fisetin, a number of proliferating cells (Ki67⁺ cells) were observed around the hair papilla. These results suggest that resveratrol and fisetin induce a shift from telogen to anagen in the hair follicle by inducing proliferation of hair follicle bulge stem cells, thus promoting hair growth.

Characteristics of healthy and androgenetic alopecia scalp microbiome: Effect of Lindera strychnifolia roots extract as a natural solution for its modulation

OBJECTIVE

The human scalp harbours a vast community of microbiotal mutualists. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the most common form of hair loss in males, is a multifactorial condition involving genetic predisposition and hormonal changes. The role of microflora during hair loss remains to be understood. After having characterized the scalp microbiota of 12 healthy male subjects and 12 AGA male subjects (D0), the aim of this investigation was to evaluate the capacity of Lindera strychnifolia root extract (LsR) to restore a healthy bacterial and fungal scalp microflora after 83 days (D83) of treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The strategy used was based on high-throughput DNA sequencing targeting the encoding 16S ribosomal RNA for bacteria and Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 ribosomal DNA for fungi.

RESULTS

Test analysis of relative abundance comparing healthy and AGA subjects showed a significant increase of Cutibacterim acnes (P < 0.05) and Stenotrophomonas geniculata (P < 0.01) in AGA subjects. AGA scalp condition was also associated with a significant (P < 0.05) decrease of Staphylococcus epidermidis relative abundance. A lower proportion of Malassezia genus in samples corresponding to AGA scalps and an increase of other bacterial genera (Wallemia, Eurotium) were also noted. At the species level, mean relative abundance of Malassezia restricta and Malassezia globosa were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the AGA group. Eighty-three days of treatment induced a significant decrease in the relative abundance of C. acnes (P < 0.05) and S. geniculata (P < 0.01). S. epidermidis increased significantly (P < 0.05). At the same time, LsR treatment induced a significant increase in the proportion of M. restricta and M. globosa (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Data from sequencing profiling of the scalp microbiota strongly support a different microbial composition of scalp between control and AGA populations. Findings suggest that LsR extract may be a potential remedy for scalp microbiota re-equilibrium.

Polygonum multiflorum extract support hair growth by elongating anagen phase and abrogating the effect of androgen in cultured human dermal papilla cells

Background

Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) play a key role in hair growth among the various cell types in hair follicles. Especially, DPCs determine the fate of hair follicle such as anagen to telogen transition and play a pivotal role in androgenic alopecia (AGA). This study was performed to elucidate the hair growth promoting effects of Polygonum multiflorum extract (PM extract) in cultured human DPCs and its underlying mechanisms.

Methods

The effects of PM extract on cultured DPCs were investigated. Cell viability and mitochondrial activity were measured by CCK-8 and JC-1 analysis, respectively. Western blotting, dot blotting, ELISA analysis, immunocytochemistry and real-time PCR analysis were also performed to elucidate the changes in protein and mRNA levels induced by PM extract. 3D cultured DPC spheroids were constructed for mimicking the in vivo DPs. The hair growth stimulatory effect of PM extract was evaluated using human hair follicle organ culture model.

Results

PM extract increased the viability and mitochondrial activity in cultured human DPCs in a dose dependent manner. The expression of Bcl2, an anti-apoptotic protein expressed dominantly in anagen was significantly increased and that of BAD, a pro-apoptotic protein expressed in early catagen was decreased by PM extract in cultured DPCs and/or 3D DPC spheroid culture. PM extract also decreased the expression of catagen inducing protein, Dkk-1. Growth factors including IGFBP2, PDGF and VEGF were increased by PM extract, revealed by dot blot protein analysis. We also have found that PM extract could reverse the androgenic effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the most potent androgen. Finally, PM extract prolonged the anagen of human hair follicles by inhibiting catagen entry in human hair follicle organ culture model.

Conclusion

Our data strongly suggest that PM extract could promote hair growth by elongating the anagen and/or delaying the catagen induction of hair follicles through activation of DPCs.

Stimulating hair growth via hormesis: Experimental foundations and clinical implications

Numerous agents (approximately 90) are shown to stimulate hair growth in cellular and animal models in a hormetic-like biphasic dose response manner. These hormetic dose responses occur within the framework of direct stimulatory responses as well as in preconditioning experimental protocols. These findings have important implications for experimental and clinical investigations with respect to study design strategies, dose selection and dose spacing along with sample size and statistical power issues. These findings further reflect the general occurrence of hormetic dose responses within the biological and biomedical literature that consistently appear to be independent of biological model, level of biological organization (i.e., cell, organ, and organism), endpoint, inducing agent, potency of the inducing agent, and mechanism.

Review of Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla cells as in vitro screening model for hair growth

Hair disorders such as hair loss (alopecia) and androgen dependent, excessive hair growth (hirsutism, hypertrichosis) may impact the social and psychological well-being of an individual. Recent advances in understanding the biology of hair have accelerated the research and development of novel therapeutic and cosmetic hair growth agents. Preclinical models aid in dermocosmetic efficacy testing and claim substantiation of hair growth modulators. The in vitro models to investigate hair growth utilize the hair follicle Dermal Papilla cells (DPCs), specialized mesenchymal cells located at the base of hair follicle that play essential roles in hair follicular morphogenesis and postnatal hair growth cycles. In this review, we have compiled and discussed the extensively reported literature citing DPCs as in vitro model to study hair growth promoting and inhibitory effects. A variety of agents such as herbal and natural extracts, growth factors and cytokines, platelet-rich plasma, placental extract, stem cells and conditioned medium, peptides, hormones, lipid-nanocarrier, light, electrical and electromagnetic field stimulation, androgens and their analogs, stress-serum and chemotherapeutic agents etc. have been examined for their hair growth modulating effects in DPCs. Effects on DPCs' activity were determined from untreated (basal) or stress induced levels. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and secretion of growth factors were included as primary end-point markers. Effects on a wide range of biomolecules and mechanistic pathways that play key role in the biology of hair growth were also investigated. This consolidated and comprehensive review summarizes the up-to-date information and understanding regarding DPCs based screening models for hair growth and may be helpful for researchers to select the appropriate assay system and biomarkers. This review highlights the pivotal role of DPCs in the forefront of hair research as screening platforms by providing insights into mechanistic action at cellular level, which may further direct the development of novel hair growth modulators.

Anti-obesity effects of pectinase and cellulase enzyme‑treated Ecklonia cava extract in high‑fat diet‑fed C57BL/6N mice

The present study investigated the anti‑obesity effects of enzyme‑treated Ecklonia cava extract (EEc) in C57BL/6N mice with high‑fat diet (HFD)‑induced obesity. The EEc was separated and purified with the digestive enzymes pectinase (Rapidase X‑Press L) and cellulase (Rohament CL) and its effects on the progression of HFD‑induced obesity were examined over 10 weeks. The mice were divided into 6 groups (n=10/group) as follows: Normal diet group, HFD group, mice fed a HFD with 25 mg/kg/day Garcinia cambogia extract and mice fed a HFD with 5, 25 or 150 mg/kg/day EEc (EHD groups). Changes in body weight, fat, serum lipid levels and lipogenic enzyme levels were determined. The body weight and liver weight were increased in the HFD group compared with those in the ND group, which was significantly reduced by EEc supplementation. In addition, significant reductions in epididymal, perirenal and mesenteric white adipose tissues were present in the EHD groups and all three EHD groups exhibited decreases in insulin, leptin and glutamate pyruvate transaminase levels compared with those in the HFD group. In addition, EEc treatment significantly decreased the serum and hepatic triglyceride levels compared with those in the HFD group. However, the levels of high‑density lipoprotein cholesterol/total cholesterol ration increased significantly in EHD‑25 and ‑150 groups compared with those in the HFD group. Changes in adipogenic and lipogenic protein expression in the liver was assessed by western blot analysis. The EHD‑25 and -150 groups exhibited reduced levels of CCAAT/enhancer‑binding protein α and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ. However, the phosphorylation ratios of AMP‑activated protein kinase and acetyl‑CoA carboxylase were significantly increased in the liver tissue obtained from the EHD (5, ‑25 and ‑150 mg/kg/day) groups compared with those in the HFD group. EEc supplementation reduced levels of sterol regulatory element‑binding protein‑1c, adipose fatty acid‑binding protein, fatty acid synthase and leptin, while it significantly increased glucose transporter type 4 and adiponectin protein levels in the liver tissues of all three EHD groups compared with those in the HFD group. Taken together, these results suggest that EEc exerts anti‑obesity effects by reducing body weight and the serum and hepatic levels of obesity‑associated factors. Thus, EEc supplementation reduces HFD‑induced obesity in C57BL/6N mice and has the potential to prevent obesity and subsequent metabolic disorders.

Rice bran mineral extract increases the expression of anagen-related molecules in human dermal papilla through wnt/catenin pathway

The objective of this study is to evaluate of rice bran mineral extract (RBM) increases the expression of anagen-related molecules in human dermal papilla (DOCs). Four treatment groups were established to evaluate the efficacy of RBM, including a negative control, positive control (ascorbic acid), RBM and ortho-silicic acid (Si(OH)₄) (OSA) group. Three days after the DPCs were administered the various treatments, western blot analysis showed that type I collagen expression was increased 2.5-fold in the OSA group and 4-fold in the RBM group, and ALP expression was increased 1.5-fold in the OSA and RBM group while the expression of fibronectin was increased ~3-fold in the OSA group and 2.5-fold in the RBM group. Also, the expression of Wnt-3α and β-catenin protein was increased in OSA and RBM group compared to control group. Furthermore, the expression of IL-1a was decreased by more than 50% in the OSA and RBM groups compared to the negative control. Analysis of mRNA expression by RT-qPCR showed that type I collagen increased 1.2-fold in the OSA- and RBM-treated DPCs, whereas type IV collagen increased 2.7-fold in the OSA group and 3.5-fold in the RBM group. However, TGF-β2 mRNA decreased about 80% in the OSA and RBM groups, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining of the DPCs for versican protein showed a significant increase in the OSA- and RBM-treated groups compared to the negative control. Thus, RBM have a potential to recover of DPCs activity and decreased inflammatory-related markers. It can be expected that hair loss prevention and hair growth enhancement can be expected when RBM is applied as a cosmetic product.

An Asian traditional herbal complex containing Houttuynia cordata Thunb, Perilla frutescens Var. acuta and green tea stimulates hair growth in mice

BACKGROUND

Houttuynia cordata Thunb (HC) is a traditional herbal medicine widely used in Asia for the treatment of patients with alopecia, usually in combination with other two herbal medicines (Perilla frutescens var. acuta (PFVA) and green tea (GT)). However, the effect of this herbal complex has not been clearly demonstrated. We sought to determine the hair growth-promoting effect of this herbal complex (HC, PFVA, and GT) in the animal model.

METHODS

Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups (negative control, finasteride (1 mg/kg) as a positive control, and two (200 and 400 mg/kg) concentrations of the herbal complex as experimental groups) and were fed its corresponding medications orally for 25 days. Hair growth was evaluated visually and microscopically. Western blot analysis for insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 was performed.

RESULTS

The herbal complex exhibited hair growth-promoting activity in C57BL/6 mice. Grossly, the area of hair regrowth was 55.1 (±3.8) %, 70.2 (±6.3) % and 83.5 (±5.7) % in negative control, herbal complex 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg group, respectively. In histologic examination, the hair follicle count in deep subcutis was 2.6 (±0.7), 5.8 (±0.7) and 8.6 (±1.2) and the diameter of hair follicles was 11.9 (±5.0) μm, 17.4 (±3.9) μm and 22.8 (±5.2) μm in negative control, herbal complex 200 and 400 mg/kg group, respectively. The expression of IGF-1 was 0.14 (±0.01), 0.23 (±0.02) and 0.24 (±0.01) and the expression of TGF-β1 was 0.26 (±0.01), 0.19 (±0.02) and 0.15 (±0.01) in negative control, the 200 and 400 mg/kg group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This data provides adequate preliminary experimental evidence to support the hair regeneration effect of this herbal complex.

Recent advances in pharmacological research on Ecklonia species: a review

The genus Ecklonia (Lessoniaceae, Phaeophyceae), commonly called kelp (brown algae), is abundant on the coasts of Japan and Korea. During the past few decades, Ecklonia species have received tremendous attention for their wide range of therapeutic properties and multiple health benefits, such as great nutritional value and being rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, proteins, and polysaccharides. Several novel functional ingredients with diversified biological activities have been isolated and possess antimicrobial, antiviral, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anticarcinogenic, immunomodulatory, hypolipidemic, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant therapeutic properties. The present review discusses the phytochemical, pharmacological, therapeutic, nutritional, and health benefits of different species of genus Ecklonia, as well as their use in the prevention of disease and maintenance of good health.

Enzyme-treated Ecklonia cava extract inhibits adipogenesis through the downregulation of C/EBPα in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of enzyme- treated Ecklonia cava (EEc) extract on the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The components of Ecklonia cava (E. cava) were first separated and purified using the digestive enzymes pectinase (Rapidase® X‑Press L) and cellulase (Rohament® CL). We found that the EEc extract contained three distinct phlorotannins: eckol, dieckol and phlorofucofuroeckol-A. Among the phlorotannins, dieckol was the most abundant in the EEc extract at 16 mg/g. Then we examined the inhibitory effects of EEc extract treatment on differentiation‑related transcription factors and on adipogenesis‑related gene expression in vitro using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 3T3‑L1 pre‑adipocytes were used to determine the concentrations of the EEc extract and Garcinia cambogia (Gar) extract that did not result in cytotoxicity. Glucose utilization and triglyceride (TG) accumulation in the EEc‑treated adipocytes were similarly inhibited by 50 µg/ml EEc and 200 µg/ml Gar, and these results were confirmed by Oil Red O staining. Protein expression of adipogenesis differentiation‑related transcription factors following treatment with the EEc extract was also examined. Only the expression of CCAAT/enhancer‑binding protein (C/EBP)α was decreased, while there was no effect on the expression of C/EBPβ, C/EBPδ, and peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor γ (PPARγ). Treatment with the EEc extract decreased the expression levels of adipogenesis‑related genes, in particular sterol regulatory element binding protein‑1c (SREBP‑1c), adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A‑FABP), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and adiponectin. These results suggest that EEc extract treatment has an inhibitory effect on adipogenesis, specifically by affecting the activation of the C/EBPα signaling pathway and the resulting adipogenesis-related gene expression.

Acute Stress-Induced Changes in Follicular Dermal Papilla Cells and Mobilization of Mast Cells: Implications for Hair Growth

BACKGROUND

Stress is a known cause of hair loss in many species.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigated the role of acute stress on hair growth using a rat model.

METHODS

Rats were immobilized for 24 hours and blood samples, and skin biopsies were taken. The effect of stress-serum on the in vitro proliferation of rat and human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs), as well as serum cortisol and corticotropin-releasing hormone levels, were measured. Mast cell staining was performed on the biopsied tissue. In addition, Western blot and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction were used to assess mast cell tryptase and cytokine expression, respectively in rat skin biopsies.

RESULTS

Stress-serum treatment reduced significantly the number of viable hDPCs and arrested the cell cycle in the G1 phase, compared to serum from unrestrained rats (p<0.05, respectively). Moreover, restrained rats had significantly higher levels of cortisol in serum than unrestrained rats (p<0.01). Acute stress serum increased mast cell numbers and mast cell tryptase expression, as well as inducing interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β up-regulation.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that acute stress also has an inhibitory effect on hair growth via cortisol release in addition to substance P-mast cell pathway.