TLDR Polygonum multiflorum can promote hair growth when taken orally or applied topically.
The study from 2015 examined the effects of Polygonum multiflorum Radix (PMR) and its processed form (PMRP) on hair growth in C57BL/6J mice. It found that oral administration of PMR resulted in a complete (100%) hair covered skin ratio, while oral PMRP achieved a 48%-88% ratio. Topical application of PMRP also showed a high hair covered skin ratio of about 90%. The research suggested that the hair growth promotion from oral PMR was likely due to the upregulation of fibroblast growth factor (FGF-7), and the topical PMRP worked by stimulating Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) expression. The study indicated that PMR and PMRP could be effective for hair growth promotion, with PMR being more effective orally and PMRP topically. The study did not find a dose-effect relationship for hair length and hair covered ratio, but did for hair total melanin contents. Further research was recommended to understand the potential of PMR and PMRP in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA).
91 citations
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April 2011 in “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” Polygonum multiflorum extract helps grow hair by activating certain hair growth signals in mice.
20 citations
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April 2002 in “PubMed” Finasteride 1 mg/day for five years effectively improves hair growth and slows hair loss in men with male pattern baldness, and is safe for long-term use.
109 citations
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April 1998 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” HGF/SF injections can stimulate hair growth and increase hair follicle size in mice.
32 citations
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May 1995 in “Contact Dermatitis” Minoxidil can cause allergic reactions, but testing helps identify the cause.
38 citations
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July 2020 in “EMBO journal” SIRT7 protein is crucial for starting hair growth in mice.
August 2014 in “Journal of clinical & experimental dermatology research” Platelet-released growth factors can treat hair loss by activating hair follicle stem cells, blocking certain pathways, and controlling inflammation and fibrosis.
36 citations
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June 2009 in “Nanomedicine” Fullerene nanomaterials help hair grow faster and increase hair follicles.
8 citations
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September 2003 in “Journal of dermatological science” Substance P helps hair grow longer and faster.
236 citations
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July 2001 in “Trends in Molecular Medicine” Future hair loss treatments should aim to extend hair growth, reactivate resting follicles, reverse shrinkage, and possibly create new follicles, with gene therapy showing promise.
