Baicalin Increases Hair Follicle Development by Enhancing Canonical Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling and Activating Dermal Papilla Cells in Mice

The study investigated the effects of baicalin, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on hair follicle development in mice. Baicalin was found to enhance hair follicle development by stimulating the expression of Wnt3a, Wnt5a, frizzled 7, and disheveled 2, while inhibiting the Axin/casein kinase 1α/adenomatous polyposis coli/glycogen synthase kinase 3β degradation complex. This led to the accumulation of β‑catenin and activation of the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway. Additionally, baicalin increased alkaline phosphatase levels in dermal papillar cells, which was dependent on Wnt pathway activation. Due to its non-toxicity and ease of topical application, baicalin showed promise as a treatment for alopecia and other forms of hair loss, with further studies on human hair follicle transplants recommended for future clinical use.