Cucurbitacin Promotes Hair Growth in Mice by Inhibiting the Expression of Fibroblast Growth Factor 18

The study involved 20 male C57BL/6J mice and investigated the effects of cucurbitacin, a compound from Cucurbitaceae plants, on hair growth. The compound was found to promote hair growth by inhibiting the expression of fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18), a protein that keeps hair follicles in the resting phase. The cucurbitacin-treated group showed a significant transition of hair follicles from the resting phase to the growth phase, and this effect was 1,000 times stronger than minoxidil, a common hair growth drug. The cucurbitacin cream also shortened the resting phase of hair follicles by 3 days, leading to earlier appearance of black patches and thicker hair. These findings suggest cucurbitacin could be a potential treatment for hair loss.