Decoction and Fermentation of Selected Medicinal Herbs Promote Hair Regrowth by Inducing Hair Follicle Growth in Conjunction with Wnts Signaling.
It is well recognized that regulating the hair follicle cycle in association with Wnt signaling is one of the most interesting targets for promoting hair regrowth. In this study, we examined whether selected herbal medicines processed by decoction and fermentation promote hair growth by upregulating the number and size of hair follicles and Wnt signaling, including activation of β-catenin and Akt in telogen-synchronized C57BL/6N mice. The results revealed that the fermented extract after decoction (FDE) more effectively promoted hair growth than that of a nonfermented extract (DE). Notably, FDE effectively enhanced formation of hair follicles with clearer differentiation between the inner and outer root sheath, which is observed during the anagen phase. Mechanistic evidence was found for increased β-catenin and Akt phosphorylation levels in dorsal skin tissue along with elevated expression of hair regrowth-related genes, such as Wnt3/10a/10b, Lef1, and fibroblast growth factor 7. In conclusion, our findings suggest that FDE plays an important role in regulating the hair cycle by increasing expression of hair regrowth-related genes and activating downstream Wnt signaling targets.
College of Life Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University, 120 Gangneung Daehangno, Gangneung, Gangwon 210-702, Republic of Korea.
Su Kil
SK
Jang
College of Life Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University, 120 Gangneung Daehangno, Gangneung, Gangwon 210-702, Republic of Korea.
Seung Tae
ST
Kim
College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, 221 Heukseok-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 156-756, Republic of Korea.
Do Ik
DI
Lee
College of Life Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University, 120 Gangneung Daehangno, Gangneung, Gangwon 210-702, Republic of Korea.
Jun Sub
JS
Park
College of Life Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University, 120 Gangneung Daehangno, Gangneung, Gangwon 210-702, Republic of Korea.
Bo Ram
BR
Jo
Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Hanbat National University, Daejeon 305-719, Republic of Korea.
Jung Youl
JY
Park
Heo-jong Oriental Medicine Clinic, Mia-dong, Gangbuk-gu 62-3, Seoul 01205, Republic of Korea.
Jong
J
Heo
College of Life Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University, 120 Gangneung Daehangno, Gangneung, Gangwon 210-702, Republic of Korea.
Seong Soo
SS
Joo