Red Ginseng Extract Promotes Hair Growth in Cultured Human Hair Follicles

November 2014 in “ Journal of Medicinal Food ”

Gyeong‐Hun Park, Park Ki-Young, Hong-Il Cho, Sang‐Min Lee, Ji Su Han, Chong Hyun Won, Sung Eun Chang, Mi Woo Lee, Jee Ho Choi, Kee Chan Moon, Hyun Sang Shin, Yong‐Kook Kang, Dong Hun Lee

Red Ginseng Extract ginsenosides-Rb1 ginsenosides-Rg3 hair follicles dermal papilla cells hair matrix keratinocytes ERK signaling pathway AKT signaling pathway dihydrotestosterone androgen receptor transcription RGE DHT

TLDR Red Ginseng Extract may help human hair grow by activating growth pathways and blocking negative effects of certain hormones.

The study from March 1, 2015, demonstrated that Red Ginseng Extract (RGE) and its components, particularly ginsenosides-Rb1 and -Rg3, have hair growth-promoting effects on human hair follicles and dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). RGE and ginsenoside-Rb1 were shown to significantly enhance the proliferation of hair matrix keratinocytes and hDPCs, activate the ERK and AKT signaling pathways, and counteract the suppressive effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on these cells. In vivo experiments with mice also indicated that RGE could promote more rapid hair growth. The study suggests that RGE could be beneficial for hair growth in humans through mechanisms that include the activation of cell growth pathways and the inhibition of androgen receptor transcription. The number of subjects or samples used in the study was not specified in the summary provided.

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