Melandrium Firmum Extract Promotes Hair Growth by Modulating 5α-Reductase Activity and Gene Expression in C57BL/6J Mice

In 2019, a study on C57BL/6J mice found that Melandrium firmum (MF) extract promotes hair growth by inhibiting 5α-reductase activity and modulating gene expression. The extract increased the anagen phase (active growth phase) of hair follicles and decreased the telogen phase (resting phase). It also reduced the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), while increasing the expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 and keratinocyte growth factor. Active components in the extract, such as ursolic acid, ecdcysteron, and ergosterol peroxide, were identified as 5α-reductase inhibitors. These findings suggested that MF extract and its active compounds could potentially be used to promote hair growth.