The Water-Soluble Extract of Illicium Anisatum Stimulates Mouse Vibrissae Follicles in Organ Culture

The study investigated the effects of Illicium anisatum extract on hair follicle growth using an organ culture system with B6C3HF1 mouse vibrissae follicles. It was found that water-soluble extracts from the plant's leaves, fruits, and roots significantly promoted hair follicle elongation, while other solvent extracts inhibited growth. The active components in the water-soluble extract included shikimic acid, which was shown to induce mRNA expression of growth factors like insulin-like growth factor-1, keratinocyte growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor. These findings suggested that the water-soluble extract of Illicium anisatum could enhance hair growth and might be beneficial as an additive in hair growth products.