Aqueous Dispersion of Unmodified Fullerene C60: Stimulation of Hair Growth and Study of a New Molecular Target for Interaction

September 2025 in “ International Journal of Molecular Sciences ”

N.N. Shershakova, Elena Baraboshkina, Д. А. Хоченков, Evgeny A. Turetskiy, Alexandra Nikonova, Oleg Kamyshnikov, Darya K. Bolyakina, Veronika A. Parshina, Daria Shabanova, Evelina Makarova, Sergey Andreev, D.А. Кudlay, Musa Khaitov

fullerene C60 aqueous dispersion of fullerene C60 hair follicles anagen phase Wnt-signaling pathway Wnt10b angiogenetic factors tumor necrosis factor-alpha macrophages M2 phenotype adenosine A2A receptor alopecia immune disorders ADF hair growth hair loss immune-related hair loss

Studysummary This study found that injecting nu/nu mice with aqueous dispersion of unmodified fullerene C60 significantly stimulated hair growth compared to controls, suggesting its potential as a new therapeutic approach for alopecia. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study examines the effects of an aqueous dispersion of unmodified fullerene C60 (ADF) on hair growth in nu/nu mice, finding that ADF significantly stimulates hair growth by increasing the number of hair follicles in the anagen phase. This effect persists even after stopping ADF administration. ADF influences the Wnt-signaling pathway, increases Wnt10b and angiogenetic factors, and reduces tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels. The proposed mechanism involves ADF attracting macrophages to the hair follicle microenvironment and promoting their polarization to the M2 phenotype. Additionally, ADF may interact with the adenosine A2A receptor, potentially decreasing tumor necrosis factor-alpha production. These findings suggest ADF could be a promising candidate for developing new treatments for alopecia related to immune disorders.

View this study on mdpi.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

36 / 36 results

research An Overview of the Genetic Aspects of Hair Loss and Its Connection with Nutrition

49 citations , October 2022 in “PubMed”

This review examines alopecia, its causes, the impact of micronutrients, and the role of the Mediterranean diet, noting conflicting data and a need for more research on diet's effect on hair loss.

research Intrinsic ROS Drive Hair Follicle Cycle Progression by Modulating DNA Damage and Repair and Subsequently Hair Follicle Apoptosis and Macrophage Polarization

20 citations , January 2022 in “Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity”

This study found that intrinsic reactive oxygen species drive the hair follicle cycle progression through DNA damage and repair, apoptosis, and macrophage polarization, influencing hair loss and regeneration dynamics in mice.

research Minoxidil: A Comprehensive Review

16 citations , June 2021 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

This study reported that while topical minoxidil exhibits hair regrowth in androgenetic alopecia, oral minoxidil 5 mg/day was more effective than topical forms after six months, with low doses also potentially effective for women and other hair loss types.

research Common Causes of Hair Loss: Clinical Manifestations, Trichoscopy, and Therapy

47 citations , December 2020 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This article reviews the classification, diagnosis, and management of hair disorders, emphasizing the role of trichoscopy and early diagnosis for effective treatment but reports no new clinical findings.

research Latanoprost Loaded in Polymeric Nanocapsules for Effective Topical Treatment of Alopecia

33 citations , November 2020 in “AAPS PharmSciTech”

research Through the Lens of Hair Follicle Neogenesis: A New Focus on Mechanisms of Skin Regeneration After Wounding

28 citations , October 2019 in “Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology”

This article discusses the advances in understanding wound-induced hair follicle neogenesis (WIHN) and highlights the roles of specific signaling pathways and cellular plasticity, noting no clinical results but suggesting potential areas for further research.

Heterozygous FOXN1 Variants Cause Low TRECs and Severe T Cell Lymphopenia, Revealing a Crucial Role of FOXN1 in Supporting Early Thymopoiesis

research Heterozygous FOXN1 Variants Cause Low TRECs and Severe T Cell Lymphopenia, Revealing a Crucial Role of FOXN1 in Supporting Early Thymopoiesis

53 citations , August 2019 in “American journal of human genetics”

This study found that FOXN1 haploinsufficiency is a significant genetic factor causing T cell lymphopenia at birth, linked to reduced thymic function in both humans and mice.

research Alopecia as a Systemic Disease

7 citations , July 2019 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

This review discusses various systemic diseases associated with secondary alopecia and reports no new clinical findings; it emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying conditions and using diagnostic tools like trichoscopy and histopathology.

research Mechanical Stretch Induces Hair Regeneration Through the Alternative Activation of Macrophages

163 citations , April 2019 in “Nature Communications”

This study found that mechanical skin stretching can stimulate hair stem cell proliferation and hair regeneration by activating a complex pathway involving WNT, BMP-2, and M2 macrophages.

research Macrophages Are Necessary for Skin Regeneration During Tissue Expansion

44 citations , January 2019 in “Journal of Translational Medicine”

This study found that macrophages are crucial for skin regeneration during tissue expansion, as their depletion in rats led to inhibited skin growth and reduced secretion of key growth factors.

research New Drugs Under Investigation for the Treatment of Alopecias

26 citations , January 2019 in “Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs”

This review explored the new and emerging treatments for androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata, finding that JAK inhibitors show promise for alopecia areata, while advancements in stem-cell research may eventually lead to new and improved treatments for androgenetic alopecia.

research M2 Macrophages Promote Wound-Induced Hair Neogenesis

27 citations , May 2018 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

This study suggests that M2 macrophages play a key role in promoting wound-induced hair neogenesis in mice by producing growth factors like Igf1 and Fgf2.

research Hair Loss: Common Causes and Treatment

35 citations , September 2017 in “PubMed”

This article reviews different types of alopecia, their diagnosis, and treatment options available in a family physician's practice, but it reports no new research findings.

research Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia Management: Clinical Experience and Practical Advice

48 citations , February 2017 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This proposal reviews current knowledge and suggests actions for managing chemotherapy‐induced alopecia but reports no new clinical results, highlighting the need for evidence‐based guidelines.

research Design of Finasteride-Loaded Nanoparticles for Potential Treatment of Alopecia

48 citations , January 2017 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology”

This study found that polymeric nanoparticles may effectively deliver finasteride topically to hair follicles, potentially improving alopecia treatment with fewer side effects than oral forms.

iTRAQ-Based Quantitative Proteomic Comparison of Early- and Late-Passage Human Dermal Papilla Cell Secretome in Relation to Inducing Hair Follicle Regeneration

research iTRAQ-Based Quantitative Proteomic Comparison of Early- and Late-Passage Human Dermal Papilla Cell Secretome in Relation to Inducing Hair Follicle Regeneration

19 citations , December 2016 in “PLOS ONE”

This study found that proteins secreted by early-passage dermal papilla cells, including SDF1, MMP3, biglycan, and LTBP1, may play significant roles in hair follicle regeneration.

research Systemic Causes of Hair Loss

18 citations , May 2016 in “Annals of Medicine”

This paper reviews seven major systemic causes of hair loss and provides a clinical evaluation framework but reports no new experimental results.

research Alopecia in General Medicine

13 citations , February 2016 in “Clinical Medicine”

This article discusses various types of alopecia relevant to hospital medicine and reports no new clinical findings, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis and understanding of associated psychological impacts.

research Selected Disorders of Skin Appendages: Acne, Alopecia, Hyperhidrosis

51 citations , September 2015 in “Medical Clinics of North America”

This review discusses common skin appendage diseases, including their pathophysiology and treatments, but does not report new results.

research Foxp1 Regulates the Proliferation of Hair Follicle Stem Cells in Response to Oxidative Stress During Hair Cycling

22 citations , July 2015 in “PloS one”

This study found that Foxp1, a transcriptional factor, plays a key role in regulating hair follicle stem cell proliferation by modulating oxidative stress and the cell cycle during hair growth phases.

research Hair Regrowth Through Wound Healing Process After Ablative Fractional Laser Treatment in a Murine Model

26 citations , May 2015 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

This study concluded that ablative fractional lasers may induce hair regrowth in mice by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

research Oxidative Stress-Associated Senescence in Dermal Papilla Cells of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

93 citations , February 2015 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study suggests that oxidative stress may contribute to androgenetic alopecia by inducing premature senescence and secretion of hair growth inhibitors in dermal papilla cells from balding scalp.

research In Vivo Hair Growth-Stimulating Effect of Medicinal Plant Extract on BALB/c Nude Mice

15 citations , January 2015 in “Pharmaceutical Biology”

In a study on nude mice, topical application of Chrysanthemum zawadskii extracts stimulated hair growth and increased hair follicle numbers, suggesting potential for alopecia therapy.

research Frequency and Associated Factors of Hair Loss Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

8 citations , January 2015 in “World Journal of Gastroenterology”

This study found that hair loss is common among patients with inflammatory bowel disease, with mesalamine and anti-TNF medications associated with lower odds of experiencing hair loss.

research Alopecia Universalis Successfully Treated With Adalimumab

37 citations , October 2014 in “JAMA dermatology”

This case report describes a woman with alopecia universalis, resistant to multiple treatments, who experienced successful hair regrowth with adalimumab, suggesting potential mechanisms for future investigation.

research Modulating Hair Follicle Size with Wnt10b/DKK1 During Hair Regeneration

53 citations , April 2014 in “Experimental Dermatology”

In this study, ectopic Wnt10b-mediated β-catenin activation in hair follicles resulted in larger regenerating anagen hair structures, an effect modulated by the Wnt inhibitor DKK1.

Hair Follicle Stem Cell Differentiation Is Inhibited Through Cross-Talk Between Wnt/β-Catenin and Androgen Signaling in Dermal Papilla Cells From Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia

research Hair Follicle Stem Cell Differentiation Is Inhibited Through Cross-Talk Between Wnt/β-Catenin and Androgen Signaling in Dermal Papilla Cells From Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia

95 citations , January 2012 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that androgens inhibit hair follicle stem cell differentiation by disrupting the Wnt signalling pathway in dermal papilla cells, but Wnt activation can restore differentiation.

research Fullerene Nanomaterials Potentiate Hair Growth

36 citations , June 2009 in “Nanomedicine”

This study found that fullerene nanomaterials can significantly enhance hair growth and increase hair follicle numbers in both shaved and bald mouse models, as well as in cultured human skin sections.

research TNF Superfamily in Skin Appendage Development

86 citations , May 2008 in “Cytokine & growth factor reviews”

This review discusses recent discoveries about the role of Eda and other TNF-related cytokines in skin appendage development and reports no new experimental results, highlighting developments since the last comprehensive summary in 2003.

research Dihydrotestosterone-Inducible Dickkopf 1 from Balding Dermal Papilla Cells Causes Apoptosis in Follicular Keratinocytes

171 citations , July 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

The researchers reported that DHT-inducible DKK-1 may play a significant role in DHT-driven balding by inhibiting hair follicle cell growth and promoting apoptosis in androgenetic alopecia.

research Promotion of Hair Follicle Development and Trichogenesis by Wnt-10b in Cultured Embryonic Skin and Reconstituted Skin

27 citations , May 2006 in “Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications”

In this study, Wnt-10b was found to promote hair follicle development and hair growth in cultured mouse embryonic skin and transplanted skin in nude mice.

research Epidermal Growth Factor as a Biological Switch in Hair Growth Cycle

94 citations , July 2003 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry”

This study found that continuous expression of epidermal growth factor in transgenic mice prevented hair follicles from entering the catagen phase, implicating EGF as a crucial regulator in hair cycle progression.

Minoxidil-Induced Hair Growth Is Mediated by Adenosine in Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells: Possible Involvement of Sulfonylurea Receptor 2B as a Target of Minoxidil

research Minoxidil-Induced Hair Growth Is Mediated by Adenosine in Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells: Possible Involvement of Sulfonylurea Receptor 2B as a Target of Minoxidil

83 citations , December 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts hair growth by targeting adenosine and possibly sulfonylurea receptor 2B.

research Analysis of Apoptotic Cell Death in Human Hair Follicles In Vivo and In Vitro

140 citations , December 1998 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Apoptosis in hair follicles varies by growth phase, with TGF-β possibly starting the catagen phase.

research Finasteride

187 citations , January 1994 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and may help with baldness, but effects on sexual function and male fetuses are unclear.

research Fibroblast Growth Factor and Epidermal Growth Factor in Hair Development

39 citations , July 1993 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This study found that daily injections of basic and acidic fibroblast growth factor in newborn mice significantly delayed hair follicle development within the treatment area, while epidermal growth factor affected the entire body coat and caused skin hyperkeratinization.