Abstract
Baicalin is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine commonly used for hair loss, the precise molecular mechanism of which is unknown. In the present study, the mechanism of baicalin was investigated via the topical application of baicalin to reconstituted hair follicles on mice dorsa and evaluating the effect on canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the hair follicles and the activity of dermal papillar cells. The results indicate that baicalin stimulates the expression of Wnt3a, Wnt5a, frizzled 7 and disheveled 2 whilst inhibiting the Axin/casein kinase 1α/adenomatous polyposis coli/glycogen synthase kinase 3β degradation complex, leading to accumulation of β-catenin and activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In addition, baicalin was observed to increase the alkaline phosphatase levels in dermal papillar cells, a process which was dependent on Wnt pathway activation. Given its non-toxicity and ease of topical application, baicalin represents a promising treatment for alopecia and other forms of hair loss. Further studies of baicalin using human hair follicle transplants are warranted in preparation for future clinical use.
Highlights
Hair is one of the unique characteristics of mammals and is a marker of individual health as it serves multiple physiological functions, including protecting the body from environmental insults and providing thermal regulation [1]
The baicalin + IWR‐1 group exhibited significantly fewer hair shafts compared with the control (Fig. 1B and C), which was expected as Wnt signaling is inhibited by IWR‐1 [13]
No apparent differences in the histology were observed between the B50, B100 and Minoxidil‐treated groups, both were distinguishable from the control and B + IWR‐1 groups (Fig. 1D)
Summary
Hair is one of the unique characteristics of mammals and is a marker of individual health as it serves multiple physiological functions, including protecting the body from environmental insults and providing thermal regulation [1]. Spot baldness, is a common and incurable disease that can appear early in life, for which there are limited treatment options [2]. Traditional Chinese herbal medicines, including Scutellaria baicalensis have been used as treatments for hair loss and may be advantageous as they are safe, have minimal toxicity and fewer side effects, and are economical. In order to elucidate the molecular mechanism(s) underlying baicalin‐induced hair growth, baicalin was applied topically to the reconstituted hair follicles and its effects on canonical Wnt signaling and dermal papilla cell activity was evaluated
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