Evaluation of Hair Growth-Promoting, Anti-Inflammatory, and 5α-Reductase Inhibitory Effects of Spirulina Extract Using In Vitro and In Vivo Models

The study investigates the potential of Spirulina extract as a treatment for hair loss, focusing on its hair growth-promoting, anti-inflammatory, and 5α-reductase inhibitory effects. Spirulina, a microalga, was tested using different extraction methods, revealing that the distilled water extract had superior anti-inflammatory properties, while the ethanol extract showed stronger 5-alpha reductase inhibition. In vivo experiments confirmed that both extracts promoted hair growth, and PCR analysis indicated a reduction in inflammatory factors and an increase in β-catenin, a key factor in hair growth. This suggests that Spirulina extract could be a promising natural alternative for hair loss treatment, addressing limitations of current FDA-approved treatments like finasteride and minoxidil.