Vanillic Acid Stimulates Anagen Signaling via the PI3K/Akt/β-Catenin Pathway in Dermal Papilla Cells

May 2020 in “ Biomolecules & Therapeutics ”

Jingoo Kang, Youn Kyung Choi, Young‐Sang Koh, Jin‐Won Hyun, Jihoon Kang, Kwang-Sik Lee, Chun Mong Lee, Eun-Sook Yoo, Hee‐Kyoung Kang

vanillic acid anagen phase PI3K/Akt/β-Catenin pathway dermal papilla cells cyclin D1 CDK6 Cdc2 p34 cell proliferation dihydrotestosterone DHT androgenetic alopecia hair growth phase DPCs cell cycle proteins hair loss alopecia

TLDR Vanillic acid from wheat bran may promote hair growth by activating certain cell pathways and reversing hormone-related hair loss.

In a 2020 study, researchers discovered that vanillic acid, a plant metabolite found in wheat bran, can stimulate hair growth by promoting the anagen phase of hair growth. This is achieved by activating the PI3K/Akt/β-Catenin pathway in dermal papilla cells (DPCs), which are essential for hair growth and regeneration. Vanillic acid was also found to increase the levels of cell-cycle proteins cyclin D1, CDK6, and Cdc2 p34, which are associated with cell proliferation. Furthermore, it was observed that vanillic acid could reverse the decreased level of β-catenin caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone implicated in the development of androgenetic alopecia. These findings suggest that vanillic acid could potentially be used as a treatment for hair loss conditions such as alopecia.

View this study on europepmc.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

13 / 13 results

Topical Application of the Wnt/β-Catenin Activator Methyl Vanillate Increases Hair Count and Hair Mass Index in Women with Androgenetic Alopecia

research Topical Application of the Wnt/β-Catenin Activator Methyl Vanillate Increases Hair Count and Hair Mass Index in Women with Androgenetic Alopecia

20 citations, April 2016 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Methyl vanillate spray increases hair count and hair mass in women with hair loss.

research Effects of Dihydrotestosterone on Rat Dermal Papilla Cells In Vitro

19 citations, April 2015 in “European Journal of Pharmacology”

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) doesn't affect rat skin cell growth, but it does change cell cycle, protein levels, and other cell functions, potentially shortening hair growth cycle.

research Minoxidil Activates β-Catenin Pathway in Human Dermal Papilla Cells: A Possible Explanation for Its Anagen Prolongation Effect

88 citations, February 2011 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Minoxidil helps hair growth by activating the β-catenin pathway.

research Hair Follicle as a Target of Stress Hormones and Autoimmune Reactions

61 citations, September 2010 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Stress hormones and autoimmune reactions can cause hair loss.

research Human Hair Follicles Contain Two Forms of ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels, Only One Sensitive to Minoxidil

102 citations, February 2008 in “The FASEB Journal”

One minoxidil-sensitive potassium channel exists in human hair follicles.

research Wnt-Dependent De Novo Hair Follicle Regeneration in Adult Mouse Skin After Wounding

829 citations, May 2007 in “Nature”

Hair follicles can regrow in wounded adult mouse skin using a process like embryo development.

research Effect of Minoxidil on Proliferation and Apoptosis in Dermal Papilla Cells of Human Hair Follicle

149 citations, April 2004 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Minoxidil boosts hair growth by increasing cell production and survival.

research Towards a Molecular Understanding of Hair Loss and Its Treatment

236 citations, July 2001 in “Trends in Molecular Medicine”

Future hair loss treatments should aim to extend hair growth, reactivate resting follicles, reverse shrinkage, and possibly create new follicles, with gene therapy showing promise.

research Control of Hair Growth and Follicle Size by VEGF-Mediated Angiogenesis

520 citations, February 2001 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

VEGF helps hair grow and determines follicle size by increasing blood vessel growth.

research Differences in Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Volume Are Due to Extracellular Matrix Volume and Cell Number: Implications for the Control of Hair Follicle Size and Androgen Responses

231 citations, December 1999 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Hair follicle size is mainly influenced by the number of cells and extracellular matrix volume, with cell number having a larger impact.

research Treatment of Hair Loss

370 citations, September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair loss, but continued research is needed for better treatments.

research Fortnightly Review: Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

179 citations, September 1998 in “BMJ”

Hair loss in men is common, treatable, but not curable.

research Minoxidil Upregulates the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Human Hair Dermal Papilla Cells

192 citations, March 1998 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts growth factor in hair cells, potentially promoting hair growth.

Similar Research

5 / 84 results

research Limonin, a Component of Immature Citrus Fruits, Activates Anagen Signaling in Dermal Papilla Cells

3 citations, December 2022 in “Nutrients”

Limonin from young citrus fruits may help with hair growth by affecting cell growth and hair cycle pathways.

research Potential Natural Products Regulation of Molecular Signaling Pathway in Dermal Papilla Stem Cells

July 2023 in “Molecules”

Certain natural products may help stimulate hair growth by affecting stem cell activity in the scalp.

research Potential of Colostrum-Derived Exosomes for Promoting Hair Regeneration Through the Transition from Telogen to Anagen Phase

5 citations, March 2022 in “Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology”

Colostrum-derived exosomes can promote hair growth and may be a promising treatment for hair loss.

5-Bromo-3,4-Dihydroxybenzaldehyde Promotes Hair Growth Through Activation of Wnt/β-Catenin and Autophagy Pathways and Inhibition of TGF-β Pathways in Dermal Papilla Cells

research 5-Bromo-3,4-Dihydroxybenzaldehyde Promotes Hair Growth Through Activation of Wnt/β-Catenin and Autophagy Pathways and Inhibition of TGF-β Pathways in Dermal Papilla Cells

7 citations, March 2022 in “Molecules”

5-Bromo-3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde could potentially help hair growth by activating certain cell pathways and inhibiting others.

research Hair Growth Promoting Effects of 15-Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenase Inhibitor in Human Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells

July 2024 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

The inhibitor DPP can promote hair growth.