Morroniside Regulates Hair Growth and Cycle Transition via Activation of the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

The 2018 study investigated the effects of morroniside, a compound from Cornus officinalis, on hair growth and hair follicle cycle transition. It was found that morroniside significantly stimulated the proliferation and migration of outer root sheath cells (ORSCs) and upregulated components of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is crucial for hair growth and cycling. In vivo, morroniside injections in mice accelerated the transition to the anagen phase and delayed the transition to the catagen phase, suggesting a potential to prolong the growth phase of hair. The study involved human scalp specimens from 20 individuals for ORSC isolation and culture, and 24 female C57BL/6 mice for in vivo experiments. These findings indicate that morroniside could be a promising treatment for hair loss, although further research is needed to fully understand its mechanism of action.