Studies on the effects of medicinal plant extracts on the hair growth stimulation

數種의 韓藥材가 毛髮成長에 미치는 影響

To screen the effective materials for hair loss treatment, several natural extracts were tested using in vivo and in vitro test models. Firstly, all test materials were applicated onto the back skin of C57BL／6 mouse and then hair growth pormoting effect were measured using hair growth index As a result, Polygonum muitifiorum Thunb and Terrninalia chebula Retz. showed potent hair growth promoting effect, ranking as 1.5-2.0 of hair growth index. However, there were no plant extracts, which have remarkable potential of growth promotion of human hair dermal papilla cells cultured in vitro. In the experiments of 5${\alpha}$-reductase type Ⅱ inhibition assay, Morus alba L., Chaenomelis Fructus, Saussureae Radix, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Polygonum multifiorum Thunb, and Angelica dahurica (Fischer) Bentham et Hooker f. showed effective potential to inhibit the activity of 5${\alpha}$-reductase type Ⅱ. To investigate the possible involvement of effects of several plant extracts on the gene expression of growth factors in human hair dermal papilla cells, RT-PCR analyses were performed. As a consequences, Mentha haplocalyx Briq., Cimicifuga foetida L., Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., Pinus densiflora S. et. Z, and Polygonum muitifiorum Thunb revealed the regulatory roles on the expression of growth factors such as IGF-I, KGF, HGF and VEGF in the dermal papilla cells. Another test for inhibition of microbial such as P. acne and P. ovale were also carried out to find whether these plant extracts have anti-microbial activities. Morus alba L. and Chaenomelis Fructus showed anti-microbial effects on Propionibacterium acnes, which is believed as a pathogen of acne. Together, these results showed several plant extracts can be used for hair growth promotion.