Minoxidil and the wnt signaling pathway

A lot of research studies are pointing to the importance of the wnt signaling pathway for hair regrowth. I've even read that with wnt, it may be possible to generate new hair follicles.

I came across this study:

"Minoxidil activates β-catenin pathway in human dermal papilla cells: a possible explanation for its anagen prolongation effect"
It is believed that the length of the actively growing phase of the anagen hair cycle mainly contributes to hair length. Recent studies showed that maintenance of β-catenin activity in the dermal papilla cells (DPCs) enables hair follicles to keep actively growing. Topical minoxidil treatment promotes hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia, suggesting that minoxidil may prolong the actively growing phase of the anagen hair cycle.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21524889/

If this is the case, doesn't this mean minoxidil can even generate new hair follicles? Is this why people that are combining microneedling with minoxidil getting amazing results?

The regulation of the β-catenin pathway is a dynamic process influenced by multiple factors, and the specific mechanisms.

Minoxidil is certainly not the only thing that does this.

In the context of hair growth, Wnt proteins are crucial for inducing the development of hair follicles and regulating hair cycle transitions.

Besides minox-i-kill:

Lithium Chloride has been shown to activate the β-catenin pathway. It inhibits the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β), which is responsible for the degradation of β-catenin. By inhibiting GSK-3β, lithium chloride allows β-catenin to accumulate and activate downstream signaling.

Certain plant polyphenols can activate the β-catenin pathway. such as Ecklonia Cava can  increase β-catenin levels in dermal papilla cells.

Growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) have been implicated in activating the β-catenin pathway in dermal papilla cells.

Extracellular Matrix Components such as laminin and fibronectin, have been found to activate the β-catenin pathway in dermal papilla cells.

CausticSymmetry wrote:The regulation of the β-catenin pathway is a dynamic process influenced by multiple factors, and the specific mechanisms.

Minoxidil is certainly not the only thing that does this.

In the context of hair growth, Wnt proteins are crucial for inducing the development of hair follicles and regulating hair cycle transitions.

Besides minox-i-kill:

Lithium Chloride has been shown to activate the β-catenin pathway. It inhibits the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β), which is responsible for the degradation of β-catenin. By inhibiting GSK-3β, lithium chloride allows β-catenin to accumulate and activate downstream signaling.

Certain plant polyphenols can activate the β-catenin pathway. such as Ecklonia Cava can  increase β-catenin levels in dermal papilla cells.

Growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) have been implicated in activating the β-catenin pathway in dermal papilla cells.

Extracellular Matrix Components such as laminin and fibronectin, have been found to activate the β-catenin pathway in dermal papilla cells.

I would be happy if I can avoid using Minoxidil.

Do you know where I can buy only these? Should I searching for fibronectin, laminin, lithium chloride, Ecklonia Cava topical/cream? Is there a link you can share with me? It would be interesting to know if some are stronger in inducing this wnt signalling than others. They might even be stronger than minoxidil. And would it be better oral vs topical?

Is this a good source of Lithium Chloride? Safe to use topically?

https://www.betterequipped.co.uk/lithium-chloride-anhydrous-pure-100g-5182

Would ecklonia cava topical work here CS? If so, what’s the best way to dissolve it for topical application? Thanks man.

Front Cell Dev Biol. 2022; 10: 815205.
Published online 2022 Mar 10. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2022.815205
Potential of Colostrum-Derived Exosomes for Promoting Hair Regeneration Through the Transition From Telogen to Anagen Phase
Hyosuk Kim, 1 , † Yeongji Jang, 1 , 2 , † Eun Hye Kim, 1 , 2 Hochung Jang, 1 , 3 Haeun Cho, 1 , 4 Geonhee Han, 1 , 5 Hyun Kyu Song, 2 Sun Hwa Kim,corresponding author 1 ,* and Yoosoo Yangcorresponding author 1 , 3 ,*

Human hair dermal papillary (DP) cells comprising mesenchymal stem cells in hair follicles contribute critically to hair growth and cycle regulation. The transition of hair follicles from telogen to anagen phase is the key to regulating hair growth, which relies heavily on the activation of DP cells. In this paper, we suggested exosomes derived from bovine colostrum (milk exosomes, Milk-exo) as a new effective non-surgical therapy for hair loss. Results showed that Milk-exo promoted the proliferation of hair DP cells and rescued dihydrotestosterone (DHT, androgen hormones)-induced arrest of follicle development. Milk-exo also induced dorsal hair re-growth in mice at the level comparable to minoxidil treatment, without associated adverse effects such as skin rashes. Our data demonstrated that Milk-exo accelerated the hair cycle transition from telogen to anagen phase by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Interestingly, Milk-exo has been found to stably retain its original properties and efficacy for hair regeneration after freeze-drying and resuspension, which is considered critical to use it as a raw material applied in different types of alopecia medicines and treatments. Overall, this study highlights a great potential of an exosome from colostrum as a therapeutic modality for hair loss.

Keywords: colostrum, exosome, hair growth, lactoferrin, dermal papilla

Full Study:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8960251/

As opposed to topical Minoxidil, this Bovine Colostrum would be administered internally.

https://amzn.to/439O2rj

MikeGore wrote:Is this a good source of Lithium Chloride? Safe to use topically?

https://www.betterequipped.co.uk/lithium-chloride-anhydrous-pure-100g-5182

It's a big more complicated than just straight lithium chloride.

Would suggest reading the above post (Colostrum exosomes)

golder wrote:Would ecklonia cava topical work here CS? If so, what’s the best way to dissolve it for topical application? Thanks man.

It might. would suggest adding Polysorbate 20 or 80 as a surfactant and emulsifier that helps to mix oil and water for topical use.