Effect of Miscanthus Sinensis Var. Purpurascens Flower Extract on Proliferation and Molecular Regulation in Human Dermal Papilla Cells and Stressed C57BL/6 Mice

The study from 2017 examined the hair growth-promoting effects of Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens (MSP) flower extract on human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) and C57BL/6 mice. The extract was found to increase hDPC proliferation, up-regulate hair growth-related factors such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and β-catenin, and activate the ERK pathway in vitro. In vivo, MSP flower extract induced an earlier transition of hair follicles to the growth phase, decreased mast cell numbers, lowered the expression of hair growth-suppressing substance P and TGF-β1, and maintained vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression under stress. The major component of the extract was identified as 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde. These findings suggest that MSP flower extract could be a potential treatment for promoting hair growth and preventing hair loss.