USPlus®Derm Reinforces the Stem Cell Niche and Prolongs Anagen by Positively Modulating Dermal Papilla Inductivity in Occipital Male Scalp Hair Follicles

USPlus®Derm, a saw palmetto extract, was tested on occipital hair follicles from 5 male donors to evaluate its effects beyond 5-α reductase inhibition. At 0.4μg/ml, it prolonged the anagen phase, increased hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation, and enhanced dermal papilla (DP) inductivity by increasing alkaline phosphatase activity and versican expression. It also increased DP size and reduced cell density in the DP stalk, particularly at 10μg/ml. While the percentage of K15+ hair follicle stem cells remained unchanged, 0.4μg/ml USPlus®Derm enhanced K15 expression, suggesting reinforcement of the stem cell niche. These findings indicate that USPlus®Derm may benefit hair growth and stem cell maintenance, warranting further investigation for managing male pattern hair loss and other hair growth disorders.