TLDR Some extracts from woods and fungi can promote hair growth better than a known hair growth substance.
In the 2001 study, researchers screened 366 extracts from woods and fungi for their effects on the proliferation of rat vibrissa dermal papilla cells, which are key to hair growth. They discovered that three extracts—ethyl acetate extract of the fungus YL161 at 1 ppm, ethyl acetate extract of Agaricus blazei at 0.1 ppm, and methanol extract of Camptotheca cuminata bark at 0.1 ppm—showed more significant growth-promoting activity than pentadecanoic acid, a known positive control. These results indicate that the active components in these extracts could be beneficial for hair growth stimulation and provide insights into the mechanisms of hair growth and alopecia, suggesting their potential as hair growth-promoting agents.
231 citations,
December 1999 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Hair follicle size is mainly influenced by the number of cells and extracellular matrix volume, with cell number having a larger impact.
79 citations,
March 1999 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Procyanidin compounds from grape seeds were found to significantly increase mouse hair growth.
581 citations,
October 1998 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride safely and effectively treats male pattern hair loss, but may cause reversible sexual issues and harm male fetuses.
100 citations,
November 1996 in “Molecular Medicine Today” Growth factors and cytokines are important for hair growth and could potentially treat hair loss, but more research is needed to overcome challenges before they can be used in treatments.
34 citations,
December 1991 in “Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences” The conclusion is that small hair follicles cause baldness in macaques, and treatments like antiandrogens and minoxidil can prevent hair loss and promote regrowth.
521 citations,
January 1954 in “Physiological Reviews” Hair growth is cyclic and influenced mainly by local factors.
26 citations,
July 2016 in “PLOS ONE” Activating β-catenin in certain skin cells speeds up hair growth in mice.
April 2016 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Wnt ligands, produced by dermal papilla cells, are essential for adult hair growth and regeneration.
10 citations,
February 2016 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” Skin sheath cells help in hair growth and renewal after birth.
1 citations,
January 2015 in “Genetics and Molecular Research” Stopping S100A3 activity slows down hair growth in mice.
154 citations,
October 1996 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America” Estrogen affects hair growth and skin cell multiplication.
