Effects of a gintonin-enriched fraction on hair growth: an in vitro and in vivo studyEffects of a gintonin-enriched fraction on hair growth: an in vitro and in vivo study

J Ginseng Res. 2020 Jan;44(1):168-177. doi: 10.1016/j.jgr.2019.05.013. Epub 2019 Jun 7.
Effects of a gintonin-enriched fraction on hair growth: an in vitro and in vivo study
Na-Eun Lee 1, Sang-Deuk Park 1, Hongik Hwang 2, Sun-Hye Choi 1, Ra Mi Lee 1, Sung Min Nam 1, Jong Hee Choi 3, Hyewhon Rhim 2, Ik-Hyun Cho 3, Hyoung-Chun Kim 4, Sung-Hee Hwang 5, Seung-Yeol Nah 1

Background: Ginseng has been widely used as a health-promoting tonic. Gintonin present in ginseng acts as a lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand that activates six LPA receptor subtypes. The LPA6 subtype plays a key role in normal hair growth, and mutations in the LPA6 receptor impair normal human hair growth. Currently, human hair loss and alopecia are concerning issues that affect peoples' social and day-to-day lives.

Objective: We investigated the in vitro and in vivo effects of a gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF) on mouse hair growth.

Methods: Human hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPCs) and six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used. The mice were divided into the four groups: control, 1% minoxidil, 0.75% GEF, and 1.5% GEF. The dorsal hair was removed to synchronize the telogen phase. Each group was treated topically, once a day, for 15 days. We analyzed hair growth activity and histological changes.

Results: GEF induced transient [Ca2+]i, which stimulated HFDPC proliferation and caused 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation in a concentration-dependent manner. GEF-mediated HFDPC proliferation was blocked by the LPA receptor antagonist and Ca2+ chelator. HFDPC treatment with GEF stimulated vascular endothelial growth factor release. Topical application of GEF and minoxidil promoted hair growth in a dose-dependent manner. Histological analysis showed that GEF and minoxidil increased the number of hair follicles and hair weight.

Conclusion: Topical application of GEF promotes mouse hair growth through HFDPC proliferation. GEF could be one of the main components of ginseng that promote hair growth and could be used to treat human alopecia.

Keywords: Ginseng; Gintonin-enriched fraction; Hair growth; Human hair follicle dermal papilla cells; Mouse.

Full Study: 
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1226845319300752?via%3Dihub

too bad its a mouse study - seems like anything will grow hair on them

How hard could it be to make your own ginseng tincture? Grate up some ginseng root and soak it in booze? Pull apart some gelatin capsules of powdered ginseng and soak it in booze? What ginseng has the most gintonin...Siberian, Korean?

shaftless wrote:How hard could it be to make your own ginseng tincture? Grate up some ginseng root and soak it in booze? Pull apart some gelatin capsules of powdered ginseng and soak it in booze? What ginseng has the most gintonin...Siberian, Korean?

 Probably not the most useful study on ginseng, yet there are others...

Panax is the best for topical purposes.

Internally is more of a crap shoot.

shaftless wrote:How hard could it be to make your own ginseng tincture? Grate up some ginseng root and soak it in booze? Pull apart some gelatin capsules of powdered ginseng and soak it in booze? What ginseng has the most gintonin...Siberian, Korean?

I'm also interested in this.
Ginseng is easily accessible in the form of pills here, and it isn't too expensive. I'd also give a topical a try. Anyone have any suggestions on how to make a ginseng topical ?