Action Mechanism of Natural Plant Extracts for Hair Loss Prevention and Hair Growth Promotion in C57BL/6 Mice

Abstract

The Natural Plant Extracts (NPE), produced by mixing seven natural plant extracts including sweet flag, contains asacurin 100 as its main ingredient and shows improvement in skin, but no hair growth effect has been reported. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of NPE on mouse hair loss prevention and hair growth promotion and to determine the mechanism of action of NPE. Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into three treatment groups of 10 mice each: Control group (saline), NPE and minoxidil 5% application. For the NPE application group, the first hair growth was observed on day 9 and the density, length and thickness of their hair were significantly higher than those of the control group. Compared to the control group, the anagen hair growth in the C57BL/6 mice of the NPE application group was significantly stimulated. Compared to the control group, the expression of VEGF and KGF mRNA was up-regulated in the NPE and minoxidil 5% application groups, but the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA was down regulated on the contrary. This result suggests that NPE promotes hair growth while inducing anagen hair growth in animals through genetic regulation while, simultaneously preventing hair loss.