6-Gingerol Inhibits Hair Cycle via Induction of MMP2 and MMP9 Expression
December 2017
TLDR 6-Gingerol can slow down hair growth by affecting certain proteins.
The study investigated the effects of 6-Gingerol, a major component of ginger, on hair growth in mice. Mice were treated with different concentrations of 6-Gingerol for 11 days following hair depilation. The findings revealed that 6-Gingerol at 1 mg/mL significantly suppressed hair growth, reduced hair re-growth ratio, hair follicle number, and hair follicle length. This suppression was linked to increased expression of MMP2 and MMP9. Additionally, 6-Gingerol decreased the concentrations of growth factors EGF, KGF, VEGF, and IGF-1, while increasing TGF-β concentration. The study concluded that 6-Gingerol could act as a hair growth suppressive agent by inducing MMP2 and MMP9 expression, thereby interfering with the hair cycle.