The Effect of Umbraulva Japonica on the Stimulation of Anagen Phase

The study evaluated the effects of Umbraulva japonica extract on hair growth. The extract significantly increased the proliferation of dermal papilla cells (DPCs), which are central regulators of the hair cycle. When rat vibrissa follicles were treated with the extract for 21 days, their hair-fiber lengths increased. The extract did not inhibit the activity of 5α-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a main cause of androgenetic alopecia. However, the extract significantly accelerated the anagen phase (active growth phase of hair follicles) in vivo. These results suggest that Umbraulva japonica extract has potential as a treatment for alopecia by stimulating the anagen phase.