The inductive effect of ginsenoside F2 on hair growth by altering the WNT signal pathway in telogen mouse skin.

Eur J Pharmacol. 2014 Mar 12. pii: S0014-2999(14)00153-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.02.024.
The inductive effect of ginsenoside F2 on hair growth by altering the WNT signal pathway in telogen mouse skin.
Shin HS1, Park SY1, Hwang ES1, Lee DG1, Song HG1, Mavlonov GT1, Yi TH2.

This study was conducted to confirm the possibility of using minor ginseng saponin F2 by oral administration on hair anagen induction effects. The signaling pathway and anagen induction effect of ginsenoside F2 were investigated and compared with finasteride on the effect of hair growth induction. The cell-based MTT assay results indicated that the proliferation rates of HHDPC and HaCaT treated with F2 significantly increased by 30% compared with the finasteride-treated group. A western blot study showed that the expression of β-catenin Lef-1 and DKK-1 increased by 140, 200% and decreased by 40% in the F2-treated group, respectively compared to that of finasteride-treated group. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to the same treatments. The hair growth promotion rates were compared with groups treated with finasteride, which was 20% higher in the F2-treated group. Tissue histological analysis results showed the number of hair follicles, thickness of the epidermis, and follicles of the anagen phase which increased in the F2-treated group, compared with the finasteride-treated groups. Moreover, the effect of F2 on hair growth was confirmed through the immunofluorescence (IF) methods indicating the expression aspect of Wnt signal pathway-related factors in the tissue of C57BL/6 mouse. Our results considered the expression increase in β-catenin, Lef-1 which was suggested as a major factor related to the development and growth of hair follicle and the decrease in DKK-1 when entering catagen by F2. As the data showed, F2 might be a potential new therapeutic source for anagen induction and hair growth through the Wnt signal pathway.

This is in continuation of previous posts on this subject.

Nice find CS.

So bad that ginsenoside are too much stimulating.. we cant use as a daily basis.

CS, does this mean a ginseng supplement would be able to do the trick? Or is this ginsenoside found in too a small quantity in a typical ginseng extract?

Some research suggests that there is a benefit from internal or topical use without using an isolate of F2, which is quite expensive (something like 180 dollars for 20 milligrams). However, in my experience and some others, taking Panax Ginseng seems to increase either anxiety or aggression. Maybe worth trying as a topical to experiment with.

Thanks CS.