Effects of some medicinal plant extracts on dermal papilla cells

Introduction Miniaturization of the hair follicles is evident on the balding scalp. Approved medications, topical minoxidil, and oral finasteride for the treatment of alopecia sometimes come with undesirable adverse effects. The study was to examine the bioactivity of medicinal plants for finding the promising source of anti-hair loss application. Methods Ten ethanolic extracts were prepared from Acacia concina (Willd.) DC., Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl, Bridelia ovata Decne, Cleome viscosa L., Cocos nucifera L., Hibiscus subdariffla L., Oryza sativa L., Terminalia chebula Retz., Tinospora crispa (L.) Hook. f. & Thomson and cytotoxic tested on dermal papilla cells using MTT assay. The effect of the extracts on cell cycle was also determined using flow cytometry technique. Anti-inflammatory activity was examined by determining IL-1 beta inhibition in RAW 257.4 cells. In vitro study of androgenic and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitory activities were also determined using MTT assay and enzymatic reaction couple with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), respectively. Results Our results revealed that only A. ebracteatus promoted dermal papilla cell proliferation and the S and G2/M phases in cell cycle. A. ebracteatus also showed inhibitory activity against 5 alpha-reductase and testosterone in reducing cell viability of the dermal papilla. Moreover, A. ebracteatus extract strongly inhibited LPS-stimulating IL-1 beta production in RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion Our finding indicated that the ethanolic extract of A. ebracteatus is a promising candidate for anti-hair loss treatment.

Automated summary

The ethanolic extract of A. ebracteatus showed promising bioactivity in promoting dermal papilla cell proliferation, regulating cell cycle, inhibiting 5 alpha-reductase and testosterone, and exhibiting anti-inflammatory activity, suggesting its potential as a candidate for anti-hair loss treatment.