Physiological Importance of the Vitaminoid Thiocyanate and Its Influence on Hair Growth

Thiocyanate, a vital metabolite, is insufficiently produced under stress, malnutrition, and other adverse conditions, necessitating dietary supplementation or topical application. It stimulates new cell formation, evidenced by increased yield in plants and improved coat quality in animals. In a study on human alopecia areata, 51% of participants showed complete to good remission 12 months post-treatment, with hair growth confirmed by trichogram. The biological activity of thiocyanate results from multiple partial effects rather than a single mechanism.