Melatonin Increases Growth Properties in Human Dermal Papilla Spheroids by Activating AKT/GSK3β/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

The study found that melatonin increases the growth properties of human dermal papilla (DP) cells, which are crucial for hair growth. Melatonin receptors, particularly MTNR1B, were found to be more highly expressed in these cells, especially in 3D sphere culture conditions. Melatonin treatment increased the size of human dermal papilla spheroids by up to 20.86% and enhanced the expression of genes that regulate hair growth. It also activated the WNT/β-catenin and AKT/GSK3β/β-Catenin signaling pathways, key regulators of hair-inductive properties. The study concludes that melatonin could potentially regulate hair growth by influencing the proliferation and signaling of DP cells.