Beta-Catenin Is Involved in Oleanolic Acid-Dependent Promotion of Proliferation in Human Hair Matrix Cells in an In Vitro Organ Culture Model

The study investigated the effects of oleanolic acid (OA) on hair growth using a human hair follicle organ culture model. Hair follicles treated with 1 or 10 μg/mL OA showed significant elongation of the hair shaft and an anagen-like stage, compared to vehicle-treated follicles. Additionally, these OA-treated groups exhibited higher levels of Ki-67, indicating increased cell proliferation. Immunofluorescence staining revealed elevated expression of β-catenin, a key component of the Wnt signaling pathway, in the OA-treated groups. These findings suggested that OA promotes human hair growth by stimulating hair matrix cell proliferation through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.