TLDR Keratin hydrogel from human hair helps rats recover better from spinal cord injuries.
In a study from 2014, researchers investigated the use of a keratin hydrogel, derived from human hair, as a treatment for spinal cord hemitransection injuries. The study found that rats treated with the keratin hydrogel exhibited higher survival rates, improved gait properties, and better bladder function compared to untreated controls. Histologically, the keratin-treated rats showed reduced glial scar formation, indicating less inhibitory scarring and more favorable tissue remodeling. These promising results suggested that keratin biomaterials could potentially be used for treating spinal cord injuries and called for further research into their application in the central nervous system.
140 citations,
August 2011 in “Biomaterials” Keratose, derived from human hair, is a non-toxic biomaterial good for tissue regeneration and integrates well with body tissues.
309 citations,
October 2007 in “Biomaterials” Keratin from human hair helps nerves heal faster.
[object Object]
61 citations,
April 2023 in “Bioactive Materials” Microneedles are effective for painless drug delivery and promoting wound healing and tissue regeneration.
30 citations,
March 2017 in “ACS biomaterials science & engineering” Hair follicles are valuable for regenerative medicine and wound healing.
[object Object] 
Peptide hydrogels show promise for healing skin, bone, and nerves but need improvement in stability and compatibility.
3 citations,
June 2023 in “MedComm” Stem cells and their exosomes show promise for repairing tissues and healing wounds when delivered effectively, but more research is needed on their tracking and optimal use.
June 2023 in “Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology” The conclusion is that accurately replicating the complexity of the extracellular matrix in the lab is crucial for creating realistic human tissue models.
