14 citations
,
September 2017 in “General and comparative endocrinology” In this study, researchers observed that in barn owls, the relationship between black feather spot size and testosterone levels varied by age and sex, suggesting involvement of genes regulating both traits rather than direct influence of testosterone on feather coloration.
6 citations
,
September 2022 in “Frontiers in pharmacology” In this study, Epimedii Folium extract was found to enhance melanin production and promote pigmentation through mechanisms involving the MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway in both in vitro and in vivo models.
86 citations
,
August 2000 in “Pigment cell research” This study observed that melanogenesis in human hair follicles is linked to anagen phases, with melanocyte activity and enzyme expression being region-specific to the nascent bulb.
3 citations
,
May 2020 in “Acta pharmaceutica” The researchers reported that protocatechuic acid reduced melanin synthesis and enhanced antioxidant activity in cultured human hair follicle melanocytes, indicating potential for skin whitening applications.
December 2025 in “Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)” This review explores the potential benefits of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula) in promoting hair growth and reducing hair damage through its bioactive components, but emphasizes that further clinical studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness in hair-care products.