Effects of Baicalin on Alopecia and the Associated Mechanism
November 2022
in “
BioMed Research International
”
baicalin alopecia protein serine/threonine kinase Src protein epidermal growth factor receptor insulin-like growth factor 1 IGF1 C57BL/6J mice hair follicles melanin formation human hair dermal papilla cells HHDPCs p-AKT alkaline phosphatase DPCs AKT pathway hair loss EGFR melanin dermal papilla cells
TLDR Baicalin may help treat hair loss by promoting hair follicle growth and activating specific cellular pathways.
The study investigated the effects of baicalin, a compound from traditional Chinese medicine, on alopecia. It was found that baicalin targets proteins such as protein serine/threonine kinase, Src protein, epidermal growth factor receptor, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), which mediate various cellular processes. In experiments with C57BL/6J mice, baicalin treatment increased hair coverage, length, and weight in a dose-dependent manner. Histological evaluation showed an increase in the number of hair follicles and pronounced melanin formation after baicalin treatment. Baicalin also induced the proliferation of human hair dermal papilla cells (HHDPCs) in vitro and significantly upregulated p-AKT, IGF1, and alkaline phosphatase. The study concluded that baicalin's pharmacological mechanisms in alopecia therapy are associated with the proliferation of DPCs, the activation of the AKT pathway, and the transmission of downstream signals, suggesting baicalin as a potential drug candidate for the clinical treatment of hair loss.
