Promotion effect of Schisandra nigra on the growth of hair

Eur J Dermatol. 2009 Jan 20.
Promotion effect of Schisandra nigra on the growth of hair.
Kang JI, Kim SC, Hyun JH, Kang JH, Park DB, Lee YJ, Yoo ES, Kang HK.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Schisandra nigra, a plant native to Jeju Island, South Korea, on the promotion of hair growth. When rat vibrissa follicles were treated with 85% ethanol (EtOH) extract of S. nigra, the hair-fiber lengths of the vibrissa follicles increased significantly. In addition, after topical application of the EtOH extract of S. nigra onto the back of C57BL/6 mice every other day, anagen progression of the hair shaft was induced. Moreover, the extract increased both the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the bulb matrix region and the proliferation of immortalized vibrissa dermal papilla cells. In order to determine the mechanism by which S. nigra promotes hair growth, we examined its relationship with the transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-beta2) signal pathway, which is known to be a regulator of catagen induction. When the vibrissa follicles in the anagen phase were treated with S. nigra extract for 7 days, the expression of TGF-beta2 in the bulb matrix region was found to be lower than that of the control follicles that were expected to be in the anagen-catagen transition phase. These results suggest that S. nigra extract has the potential to promote hair growth via down regulation of TGF-beta2 and the proliferation of dermal papilla.

Isn't this stuff typically found in liver support supps?

Schisandra nigra Max is one of three species of Schisandra chinensis. Since it is likely that only Schisandra nigra contains Nigranoic acid, which may or may not be the an important component, it's hard to say if this type is needed.

Most Schisandra supplements only list of being from Schisandra chinesis.

To be certain, Schisandra Nigra should be used.

Does it exist another supplement ( taken orally perhaps) that lowers the TGF-beta2 ?

europe - Yes Curcumin does. If you go that route, the BCM-95 version which is standardized with 95% Curcuminoids is the best way.

What bad could happen if one took that road CS?

Misirlou - Nothing really bad. Curcumin can lower blood sugar, so the worst thing that happened to me a few times was taking it too long before eating and I acquired a glucose headache. I do not take it very often, but I have found that if I take it during or after a meal, I never get this problem.

Generally, I am not aware of any negative sides. Curcumin is a super herb, so to speak.

CS - but you obviously stopped taking it...for what ?

seems that the "the natural" regiment seems to be good, along with revrestrol....

europe - The combination of Resveratrol and Curcumin are probably better than individually. Are you trying it out?
I used to get headaches from curcumin, but later figured out if I just take it during or after meal, then no problems.

Here's an extract for Schisandra:

https://www.herbspro.com/32340/SchisandraExtract.htm

But, it appears to just be Chinensis...though, that may still give the desired effect?

Good read on the herb too:

http://bouldernaturallabs.com/healthlibrary/schizandra-chinesis.html

Even though this is a species from that general Chinensis family, it may be only the Schisandra nigra
that has the effect.