Comparison of Saccharina japonica (Laminaria Japonica)–Undaria pinnatifida Mixture and Minoxidil on Hair Growth Promoting Effect in Mice

Arch Plast Surg. 2016 Nov; 43(6): 498–505.
Published online 2016 Nov 18. doi: 10.5999/aps.2016.43.6.498
Comparison of Saccharina japonica–Undaria pinnatifida Mixture and Minoxidil on Hair Growth Promoting Effect in Mice
Ki Soo Park and Dae Hwan Parkcorresponding

Background
Algae have traditionally been used for promotion of hair growth. Use of hair regrowth drugs, such as minoxidil, is limited due to side effects. The aim of this study was to examine a mixture of Saccharina japonica and Undaria pinnatifida (L-U mixture) on hair growth and to compare the promoting effect of hair growth by a 3% minoxidil and a L-U mixture.

Methods
To evaluate the hair growth-promoting activity, saline, 50% ethanol, 3% minoxidil, and the L-U mixture were applied 2 times a day for a total of 14 days on the dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice after depilation. Analysis was determined by using a high-resolution hair analysis system, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and H&E staining.

Results
On day 14, the hair growth effect of the L-U mixture was the same as that of the 3% minoxidil treatment. The L-U mixture significantly (P<0.05) stimulated hair growth-promoting genes, as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor -1. Increase of VEGF was observed in the L-U mixture group compared with minoxidil and the negative control. In contrast, the L-U mixture suppressed the expression of transforming growth factor-β1, which is the hair loss-related gene. In histological examination in the L-U mixture and minoxidil groups, the induction of an anagen stage of hair follicles was faster than that of control groups.

Conclusions
This study provides evidence that the L-U mixture can promote hair growth in mice, similar to the effect from minoxidil, and suggests that there is potential application for hair loss treatments.
Keywords: Alopecia, Saccharina Japonica, Undaria pinnatifida, Minoxidil
Full Text Here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5122536/