title: Potential synergistic effects of human placental extract and minoxidil on hair growth-promoting activity in C57BL/6J mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human placenta extract (HPE) has been used to alleviate tiredness and promote wound healing, and for its antiageing functions; however, it has not yet been studied for its effects on hair growth. In the present study, we evaluated the in vitro effect of HPE on hair growth by observing its actions on human dermal papilla cells (DPCs).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To define how HPE promotes induction of anagen hair growth during the telogen phase, and to understand the synergistic molecular mechanisms of HPE and minoxidil (MXD) actions on hair growth.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined the effects of HPE and MXD on C57BL6/J mice using haematoxylin and eosin staining, quantitative histomorphometry, hair growth scoring, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence on the dorsal skins of C57BL/6J mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that HPE synergistically augmented the effects of MXD, a promoter of hair growth. In particular, histomorphometric analysis data indicated that subcutaneous injection of HPE induced an earlier anagen phase and prolonged the anagen phase. It also stimulated increases in both the number and size of hair follicles in groups treated with HPE alone and HPE + MXD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From our data, we conclude that HPE increases β-catenin and Wnt3a expression levels. Overall, our findings suggest that HPE in combination with MXD has hair growth-promoting activity and is a potential novel therapeutic treatment for alopecia or baldness in humans.
authors: Department of Medicine, Graduate School, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.|Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: T-R
authors: TR
authors: Kwon
authors: Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: C T
authors: CT
authors: Oh
authors: Green Cross Corporation, Yongin, Korea.
authors: H M
authors: HM
authors: Park
authors: Green Cross Corporation, Yongin, Korea.
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Han
authors: Green Cross Corporation, Yongin, Korea.
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Ji
authors: Department of Medicine, Graduate School, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.|Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: B J
authors: BJ
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000505:Alopecia / Q000188:drug therapy; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D020405:Dermis / Q000166:cytology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008914:Minoxidil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023421:Models, Animal; D010924:Placental Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010924:Placental Extracts; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D051176:beta Catenin; D008914:Minoxidil