TLDR Piperonylic acid speeds up wound healing by reducing inflammation and boosting collagen.
The study investigated the effects of topical piperonylic acid on wound healing in C57BL6/J male mice with 6 mm dorsal skin wounds. Piperonylic acid, a metabolite found in peppers, was shown to enhance wound healing from day 6 post-injury until closure by activating the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This activation led to the modulation of gene expression related to inflammation and healing, including interleukin-6, il-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, il-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and insulin-like growth factor-1. By day 19, treated wounds exhibited greater type I collagen deposition and a morphology resembling intact skin, with more dermal papillae and hair follicles. The findings suggested that piperonylic acid could be a promising treatment for skin wounds.
1160 citations
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November 2018 in “Physiological Reviews” The document concludes that better targeted treatments are needed for wound healing, and single-cell technologies may improve cell-based therapies.
359 citations
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January 2015 in “Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine” Hair growth phase and certain genes can speed up wound healing, while an inflammatory mediator can slow down new hair growth after a wound. Understanding these factors can improve tissue regeneration during wound healing.
170 citations
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November 2007 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Skin can heal wounds without hair follicle stem cells, but it takes a bit longer.
829 citations
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May 2007 in “Nature” Hair follicles can regrow in wounded adult mouse skin using a process like embryo development.
5 citations
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October 2024 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” Piperonylic acid may help hair growth and treat hair loss.
August 2025 in “Biomolecules” Fibroblast growth factors could be a better, safer treatment for hair loss than current options.
January 2025 in “Cosmetics” Astragalus sinicus extracts may help promote hair growth and treat hair loss.
4 citations
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September 2014 in “Elsevier eBooks” Use some skin medications with caution during pregnancy; avoid strong steroids, certain eczema treatments, and systemic retinoids, but many topical treatments and nasal sprays are safe.
188 citations
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October 2012 in “The AAPS Journal” The document concludes that developing generic topical drugs requires ensuring they match the original in quality, composition, and structure, and often involves complex testing and regulatory steps.