The Inductive Effect of Ginsenoside F2 on Hair Growth by Altering the WNT Signal Pathway in Telogen Mouse Skin

March 2014 in “ European Journal of Pharmacology ”

Heon-Sub Shin, Sang-Yong Park, Eunson Hwang, Don-Gil Lee, Hyun-Geun Song, Gafurjon T. Mavlonov, Tae-Hoo Yi

ginsenoside F2 WNT signaling pathway telogen-phase human hair dermal papilla cells keratinocytes finasteride β-catenin Lef-1 DKK-1 C57BL/6 mice hair follicles epidermal thickness anagen phase ginseng Propecia

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Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

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Studysummary This study found that minor ginseng saponin F2 may promote hair growth more effectively than finasteride by enhancing anagen induction and modulating the Wnt signaling pathway in cell and mouse models. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

In the 2014 study, ginsenoside F2, a component of ginseng, was shown to significantly promote hair growth in telogen-phase mice by modulating the WNT signaling pathway. The substance increased the proliferation of human hair dermal papilla cells and keratinocytes by 30% more than finasteride, a standard hair growth medication. Ginsenoside F2 also upregulated β-catenin and Lef-1 by 140% and 200% respectively, while downregulating DKK-1 by 40%, compared to finasteride. In C57BL/6 mice, F2 treatment led to a 20% higher rate of hair growth promotion than finasteride, with histological analysis showing an increase in hair follicles, epidermal thickness, and follicles in the anagen phase. The study concluded that ginsenoside F2 has potential as a new therapeutic agent for hair growth and anagen induction.

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