Although alopecia affects the quality of life, its pathogenesis is unknown, because cellular interactions in the hair follicle are complex. Several authors have suggested using herbal medicine to treat alopecia, and bioinformatics and network pharmacology may constitute a new research strategy in this regard because herbal medicines contain various chemical components. This study used association rule mining (ARM) and network analysis to analyze the combinations of medicinal herbs used to treat alopecia. We searched Chinese, Korean, and English databases for literature about alopecia treatment, extracting the names of each herbal prescription and herb. The meridian tropism and classification category of each herb were also investigated. Using ARM, we identified frequently combined two-herb and three-herb sets. Using network analysis, we divided the herbs into several modules according to prescription pattern. Fifty-six articles and 489 herbal medicines were included—312 internal and 177 external medicines. Among the 312 medicinal herbs used in internal medicine group, the most frequently combined two-herb set was Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (何首烏) and Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Dlels (當歸). The most frequently used three-herb combination was Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Dlels, and Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (川芎). In network analysis, three modules were identified. The herbs of Module 1 were related to the liver and kidney meridians, and those of Module 3 were related to the Stomach meridian. We identified the frequency, characteristics, and functional modules of herb combinations frequently used in alopecia treatment. We confirmed the value of classical medicinal herb theory. This finding will prompt further bioinformatics and network pharmacology research on alopecia.

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Exploring the combination and modular characteristics of herbs for alopecia treatment in traditional Chinese medicine: an association rule mining and network analysis study.

Restoring hair follicles by inducing the anagen phase is a promising approach to prevent hair loss. Hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPCs) play a major role in hair growth via the telogen-to-anagen transition. The therapeutic effect of Morus alba activates β-catenin in HFDPCs, thereby inducing the anagen phase. The HFDPCs were treated with M. alba root extract (MARE) to promote hair growth. It contains chlorogenic acid and umbelliferone and is not cytotoxic to HFDPCs at a concentration of 20%. It was demonstrated that a small amount of MARE enhances growth factor secretion (related to the telogen-to-anagen transition). Activation of β-catenin was observed in MARE-treated HFDPCs, which is crucial for inducing the anagen phase. The effect of conditioned medium derived from MARE-treated HFDPCs on keratinocytes and endothelial cells was also investigated. The findings of this study demonstrate the potency of MARE in eliciting the telogen-to-anagen transition.

Morus alba Root Extract Induces the Anagen Phase in the Human Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells.

Objectives :This study evaluates the hair growth promoting effect of Yonnyuniksoogobon-dan on shaved C57BL6 mice. Methods :Yonnyuniksoogobon-dan was administered orally (Group I) and both orally and by skin application (Group II) once a day for 12 days. The experimental groups were compared to Control, which was orally administered physiological saline solution. Hair regrowth was photographically and histologically determined during the experimental period. The levels of hair growth cycle related factors (EGF, TGF-β1) and vascular factors (VEGF, iNOS) were also determined by immunohistochemistry. On gross observation of hair growth, both Group I and Group II shaved C57BL6 mice showed accelerated hair regrowth. Results :The hair regrowth index of Group I increased significantly from 7 days (P<0.05) to 12 days (P<0.01) after shaving and that of Group II was significantly higher at 12 days (P<0.05). On histological observation, both Group I and Group II demonstrated histological improvement and increases in the number and diameter of the hair follicles. EGF expression on the root sheath of hair follicles was up-regulated in both Group I and II. TGF-β1 expression on the root sheath of hair follicles was unchanged in both Group I and II. VEGF expression in the tissues surrounding hair follicles was up-regulated in both groups. iNOS expression in the tissues surrounding hair follicles was down-regulated in both groups. Conclusions :These results suggest that Yonnyuniksoogobon-dan promotes hair growth and this effect is related to up-regulation of EGF and VEFG expression and down-regulation of TGF-β1 and iNOS expression on hair roots.

https://www.koreascience.or.kr:443/article/JAKO201021147394147.pdf

Immunohistochemical Study on the Hair Growth Promoting Effect of Yonnyuniksoogobon-dan

To screen the effective materials for hair loss treatment, several natural extracts were tested using in vivo and in vitro test models. Firstly, all test materials were applicated onto the back skin of C57BL／6 mouse and then hair growth pormoting effect were measured using hair growth index As a result, Polygonum muitifiorum Thunb and Terrninalia chebula Retz. showed potent hair growth promoting effect, ranking as 1.5-2.0 of hair growth index. However, there were no plant extracts, which have remarkable potential of growth promotion of human hair dermal papilla cells cultured in vitro. In the experiments of 5-reductase type Ⅱ inhibition assay, Morus alba L., Chaenomelis Fructus, Saussureae Radix, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Polygonum multifiorum Thunb, and Angelica dahurica (Fischer) Bentham et Hooker f. showed effective potential to inhibit the activity of 5-reductase type Ⅱ. To investigate the possible involvement of effects of several plant extracts on the gene expression of growth factors in human hair dermal papilla cells, RT-PCR analyses were performed. As a consequences, Mentha haplocalyx Briq., Cimicifuga foetida L., Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., Pinus densiflora S. et. Z, and Polygonum muitifiorum Thunb revealed the regulatory roles on the expression of growth factors such as IGF-I, KGF, HGF and VEGF in the dermal papilla cells. Another test for inhibition of microbial such as P. acne and P. ovale were also carried out to find whether these plant extracts have anti-microbial activities. Morus alba L. and Chaenomelis Fructus showed anti-microbial effects on Propionibacterium acnes, which is believed as a pathogen of acne. Together, these results showed several plant extracts can be used for hair growth promotion.

Jong-Han Kim

Papers

Studies on the effects of medicinal plant extracts on the hair growth stimulation