Effect of Chinese Medicinal Herbs on Human Scalp Hair Growth In Vitro

The study investigated the effects of Chinese medicinal herbs on human scalp hair growth in vitro using organ culture of human scalp hair follicles. It was found that low doses of a mixture of extracts from Crataegus cuneata, Ligustrum lucidum, Polyporus umbelatus, and Bletilla striata (1.28 μg/mL and 6.4 μg/mL) significantly promoted hair growth and extended the hair growth period. Conversely, high doses of the mixture (4 mg/mL and 20 mg/mL) as well as high doses of ginseng saponin (40 μg/mL and 200 μg/mL) inhibited hair growth. The study concluded that the mixture of these extracts can enhance hair growth in vitro at low concentrations.