In Vivo Phytotherapy in BALB/c Athymic Nude Mice: Hair Growth Promotion using &lt;i&gt;Ficus religiosa&lt;/i&gt; L. and &lt;i&gt;Morus alba&lt;/i&gt; L.

Pramod S Joshi,Yogesh B Patil,Tania S Paul,Kishori G Apte,Bhagyashri Nagarkar

doi:10.18311/jnr/2021/26255

In Vivo Phytotherapy in BALB/c Athymic Nude Mice: Hair Growth Promotion using Ficus religiosa L. and Morus alba L.

Pramod S Joshi, Yogesh B Patil + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.18311/jnr/2021/26255

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Abstract

Ficus religiosa L. (FR) and Morus alba L. (ML) belonging to the family Moraceae have been tested as novel herbal agents for hair growth promotion and Hair Follicles (HFs) regeneration in BALB/c athymic nude mouse model. Current study tested different mixtures of 5% aqueous fractions: Test 1 (ML2+ML3+ML4+FR4), Test 2 (FR1+FR2+FR4), or Test 3 (ML2+ML3+ML4+FR1+FR2+FR4) from leaves of both plants including standard of care 2% minoxidil. Control mice were untreated. Animals were treated for 33 days by topical application on the back skin and changes in hair growth patterns were evaluated. Histology was performed to assess the HFs morphology, and modulation of hair cycle phases. Gene expression analysis was performed to understand potential mechanisms of action. All treatment groups had significantly higher anagen phase HFs compared with untreated control group based on histology analysis. Also, expressions of CD34, CD200R and Oct4 genes were upregulated in all treatment groups compared with untreated control. Present study demonstrated that a combinatorial therapy using either fractions of FR or FR and ML promoted hair growth and HFs regeneration through induction of anagen phase in conjunction with stem cells associated genes upregulation in BALB/c athymic nude mouse model of hair loss.

Highlights

Skin is considered as the largest organ in mammals that protects against external insults while, hair have evolved to protect skin and as a mode of communication via signals and cues
5% aqueous fractions ML2, ML3, ML4 of Morus alba L. leaves or 5% aqueous ML leaves extract yielded a biologically significant increase in hair weights compared to disease control (DC) and standard of care 2% minoxidil on day 21 of treatment in animals induced with alopecia, while Ficus religiosa L. leaves 5% aqueous fractions FR2, FR3, FR4 or 5% aqueous FR leaves extract generated overall lesser or comparable increase compared with 5% aqueous ML leaves fractions or 5% aqueous ML leaves extract including standard of care 2 % minoxidil
The plants samples were identified by Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Western Regional Center, Pune, Maharashtra, India. 5% gel was prepared from aqueous fractions of Ficus religiosa L. and Morus Alba L. in combination according to modified protocol based on procedure described previously[33]

Summary

Introduction

Skin is considered as the largest organ in mammals that protects against external insults while, hair have evolved to protect skin and as a mode of communication via signals and cues. HFs are dynamic structures that post-birth undergo cycles of anagen, catagen and telogen phases in a repetitive manner[2]. C3H/HeJ mice and Dundee Experimental Bald Rat (DEBR) models are considered as the basis of developing new treatments for alopecia areata[3,4,5] and put rodents in forefront of preclinical research for human hair loss indication. Mouse has short hair cycle (3 weeks) with well delineated anagen and catagen phases divided into six and eight sub phases respectively[6]. There appear to be no structural differences between mouse and human hair cycles except, catagen phase in mouse exhibits hair bulb alterations in absence of retraction of vibrissae follicles[1]. Rat model has ability to transform human stem cells into dermal papilla followed by new HFs generation[7]

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