The Effect of Flavonoids on Regenerated Hair Follicles with Pigmentation

The study investigated the impact of flavonoids on the regeneration of pigmented hair follicles in mice. When the skin of adult mice is wounded, it regenerates, and new hair follicles form from the epidermis. Melanocyte stem cells from nearby hair follicles can migrate to the wound and contribute to pigmented hair follicle regeneration. The hypothesis was that applying flavonoids to the wounds would reduce inflammation and increase the ratio of pigmented hair follicle regeneration. The study found that flavonoids with two hydroxyl (OH) groups in the B ring significantly promoted new pigmented hair growth, while flavonoids with one OH group did not. Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon angustifolium), which contains higher levels of the effective flavonoids, also promoted pigmented hair regeneration, unlike Eriodictyon californicum, which has lower levels of these flavonoids. The study concluded that certain flavonoids can enhance pigmented hair follicle regeneration and may also affect hair growth and prevent graying.