Natural Product Shi-Bi-Man Regulates Lactic Acid Metabolism and Drives Hair Follicle Stem Cell Activation to Promote Hair Regeneration

The study focused on the effects of Shi-Bi-Man (SBM), a natural product, on hair regeneration in 6 cynomolgus monkeys with shaved backs. The results, obtained through techniques like scRNA-seq, qPCR, and immunofluorescence staining, showed that SBM significantly increased hair follicle number and promoted hair development. It was found that SBM enhanced the activation state of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs), as evidenced by increased expression of LDHA and MKI67, markers of activation and proliferation. Additionally, SBM regulated lactic acid metabolism in HFSCs, with increased expression of LDHA and LDHB, and influenced gene expression related to the WNT pathway and autophagy. The study concluded that SBM drives HFSC activation and promotes hair regeneration through mechanisms involving LDHA-mediated lactic acid metabolism, autophagy, and cell adhesion via the laminin pathway.