A cell-based system for screening hair growth-promoting agents, Apigenin & Curcumin

Arch Dermatol Res. 2009 Mar 11.
A cell-based system for screening hair growth-promoting agents.
Huh S, Lee J, Jung E, Kim SC, Kang JI, Lee J, Kim YW, Sung YK, Kang HK, Park D.

Biospectrum Life Science Institute, 101-701 SK Ventium, 522 Dangjung Dong, Gunpo City, 435-833, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.

Androgen-inducible transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta1) derived from dermal papilla cells (DPCs) is a catagen inducer that mediates hair growth suppression in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). In this study, a cell-based assay system was developed to monitor TGF-beta1 promoter activity and then used to evaluate the effects of activated TGF-beta1 promoter in human epidermal keratinocytes (HaCaT). To accomplish this, a pMetLuc-TGF-beta1 promoter plasmid that expresses the luciferase reporter gene in response to TGF-beta1 promoter activity was constructed. Treatment of HaCaT with dihydrotestosterone, which is known to be a primary factor of AGA, resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in TGF-beta1 promoter activity. However, treatment of HaCaT with the TGF-beta1 inhibitor, curcumin, resulted in a concentration-dependant decrease in TGF-beta1 expression. Subsequent use of this assay system to screen TGF-beta1 revealed that HaCaT that were treated with apigenin showed decreased levels of TGF-beta1 expression. In addition, treatment with apigenin also significantly increased the proliferation of both SV40T-DPCs (human DPCs) and HaCaT cells. Furthermore, apigenin stimulated the elongation of hair follicles in a rat vibrissa hair follicle organ culture. Taken together, these findings suggest that apigenin, which is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties, stimulates hair growth through downregulation of the TGF-beta1 gene. In addition, these results suggest that this assay system could be used to quantitatively measure TGF-beta1 promoter activity in HaCaT, thereby facilitating the screening of agents promoting hair growth.

Apigenin is found in chamomile. Swanson's Vitamins has been selling apigenin for about a year or so. Jarrow has a product called Stress tame that has 50 milligrams of Apigenin, the same amount that Swanson's has.

I've jumped onto Curcumin since figuring out why I used to get headaches from using it. Low blood sugar from taking it without food. Taking it with food, there are no problems.

There's an overwhelming amount of evidence now to use Curcumin. Inhibiting of Gsk-3beta, TGF-beta, E2 (Estradiol), modulates HPTA and stress and may protect against neurogenic inflammation.

A few years ago, I remember Apigenin to one of the most potent botanical anti-aromatase flavonoids. Note that Damiana contains Apigenin.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18948180

Apigenin protects against skin inflammation

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18993046

This one shows Apigenin can downregulate IGF-1 and upregulate IGFBP-3. This would be excellent against
acne and hair loss. It also decreased phosphorylation of GSK-3beta.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18726972

"There's an overwhelming amount of evidence now to use Curcumin. Inhibiting of Gsk-3beta, TGF-beta, E2 (Estradiol), modulates HPTA and stress and may protect against neurogenic inflammation."

IH, it sounds like you are considering to recommend Curcumin in your top 6.

Perhaps as an alternative to Ecklonia cava.

HMR lignans finally got replaced!

Great!!

cpio wrote:HMR lignans finally got replaced!

Great!!

Better late than never, LOL!

Thanks for posting that study earlier on "chronic stress on behavior, the HPA axis, BDNF expression," that was very interesting stuff.

Funny thing about curcumin, I once thought I was allergic to it as I always got a headache after taking it. I never got one from eating curry though. Eventually it occurred to me that Curcumin was probably lowering blood sugar, so as long as I take it immediately before or during the meal I am fine.

great to hear that! I'm a huge apigenin fan, I've been into it for a while. The best source is parsley for sure - that's why i eat it in the moorning every day. I stated that in my previous posts that you can see the result within two days - your belly gets flat - I mean incredibely flat (which is the anti aromlatase activity). There are other sources but parsley is definitely the best one.

It sounds very easy but believe me - parsley, lemon and pine nuts int the moorning is a way to go.

look at parsley - better than an apigenin supplement:
Carbohydrates 6.3 g

Sugars 0.9 g

Dietary fibre 3.3 g

Fat 0.8 g

Protein 3.0 g

Thiamin (B1) 0.1 mg

Riboflavin (B2) 0.2 mg

Niacin (B3) 1.3 mg

Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.4 mg

Vitamin B6 0.1 mg

Folate (B9) 152 μg

Vitamin C 133.0 mg

Calcium 138.0 mg

Iron 6.2 mg

Magnesium 50.0 mg

Phosphorus 58.0 mg

Potassium 554 mg

Zinc 1.1 mg

As you can see that tap root works overtime, giving a content that rivals most green vegetables we eat on a daily basis. So why don’t we eat fresh parsley as a prime vegetable dish? Apart the superstition from its ancient association with death, and ancient myth nearly always stems from actual pharmacological content and effects, so let’s look at Parsley’s pharmacology.

Apiol is an organic compound found nearly exclusively in Parsley and at 576000 ppm (parts per million) in the essential oil of Parsley (can be processed from the whole plant but more from the root and seeds), and Apiol dominates its content. The essential oil has been used medicinally since at least 50 CE when it was named by Pedanius Dioscorides in his De Materia Medica, a pharmacopoeia or book of plants and all their known medicinal uses. The Materia Medica was almost solely used by most western medical practitioners until 1600 CE, that’s nearly 1550 years Dioscorides single medical book reigned for. Back to Apiol which primarily has a powerful effect on the female reproductive system. It can be used to induce menstruation and as an abortifacient, and was Parsley was sited by Hippocrates for these purposes above others. Parsley could therefore be one of our first ever morning after treatments, but just like today’s modern morning after abortifacient pill, in high frequent doses Apiol can be very toxic to the liver and kidneys. The essential oil of Parsley is still widely used in the Middle East for these effects, though it has been mostly replaced in the west with other compounds that are perhaps less toxic in the require dosages.

There are over 300 chemical compounds altogether that have over 742 effects on our bodies when we consume Parsley in whatever manner or concentration. Though of course eating a sprig is vastly different compared to a few drops of the highly concentrated essential oil. One can see it would be a bad idea for anyone who is pregnant no matter the dosage or concentration. Moving on, let’s take a look at the top five effects backed by the most compounds present in Parsley.

Cancer Preventative effects are supported in Parsley with 43 compounds that are known to have a preventative action toward initial cancer development.

(5-METHOXY-PSORALEN, ALPHA-PINENE, ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL, APIGENIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BERGAPTEN, BETA-CAROTENE, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CAFFEIC-ACID, CHLOROGENIC-ACID, ERIODICTYOL, ESTRAGOLE, FIBER, GERANIOL, IMPERATORIN, ISOPIMPINELLIN, KAEMPFEROL, LIMONENE, LINALOOL, METHIONINE, MUCILAGE, MYRISTIC-ACID, MYRISTICIN, NARINGENIN, NIACIN, NICOTINAMIDE, OLEIC-ACID, OSTHOL, P-COUMARIC-ACID, PANTOTHENIC-ACID, PSORALEN, QUERCETIN, RIBOFLAVIN, ROSMARINIC-ACID, RUTIN, SELENIUM, SHIKIMIC-ACID, STIGMASTEROL, SUCCINIC-ACID, TAURINE, UMBELLIFERONE, VIT-B2, XANTHOTOXIN)

There are 42 compounds that support an Antibacterial effect in Parsley; these compounds effectively knock off bad bacteria more than anything else when applied.

(8-METHOXY-PSORALEN, ALPHA-PHELLANDRENE, ALPHA-PINENE, ALPHA-TERPINEOL, APIGENIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BENZALDEHYDE, BETA-PHENYLETHANOL, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CAFFEIC-ACID, CHLORINE, CHLOROGENIC-ACID, CITRIC-ACID, DELTA-3-CARENE, DELTA-CADINENE, DILLAPIOL, ERIODICTYOL, ETHANOL, FALCARINDIOL, FALCARINOL, GERANIOL, KAEMPFEROL, LIMONENE, LINALOOL, MALIC-ACID, MYRCENE, NARINGENIN, NERAL, P-COUMARIC-ACID, P-CYMENE, PHENETHYL-ALCOHOL, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, QUERCETIN, ROSMARINIC-ACID, RUTIN, SABINENE, SILVER, TERPINEN-4-OL, THYMOL, TIN, UMBELLIFERONE, XANTHOTOXIN)

Anti-oxidants with 32 compounds present in Parsley that help the body by donating their electrons (which they regain without harm) to stabilise free radicals who are missing theirs and therefore dangerous. This effect is affiliated to cancer prevention but it is not the only benefit of anti-oxidants for the body.

(ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL, APIGENIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BETA-CAROTENE, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CAFFEIC-ACID, CAMPESTEROL, CAMPHENE, CHLOROGENIC-ACID, ERIODICTYOL, FUMARIC-ACID, GAMMA-TERPINENE, KAEMPFEROL, LUTEIN, METHIONINE, MYRCENE, MYRISTIC-ACID, MYRISTICIN, NARINGENIN, P-COUMARIC-ACID, PALMITIC-ACID, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, QUERCETIN, ROSMARINIC-ACID, RUTIN, SELENIUM, SHIKIMIC-ACID, STIGMASTEROL, TAURINE, TERPINEN-4-OL, TERPINOLENE, THYMOL)

An Anti-Inflammatory effect is supported in Parsley with 31 compounds that are known to reduce inflammation, which is the intricate reaction of blood vessel tissue to various stimuli resulting in inflammation of that tissue.

(3-N-BUTYL-PHTHALIDE, ALPHA-PINENE, APIGENIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BERGAPTEN, BETA-PINENE, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CAFFEIC-ACID, CHLOROGENIC-ACID, COPPER, DELTA-3-CARENE, ERIODICTYOL, IMPERATORIN, ISOPIMPINELLIN, KAEMPFEROL, LIMONENE, LINALOOL, MAGNESIUM, MYRISTICIN, NARINGENIN, OLEIC-ACID, OSTHOL, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, QUERCETIN, ROSMARINIC-ACID, RUTIN, SALICYLATES, STIGMASTEROL, THYMOL, UMBELLIFERONE, XANTHOTOXIN)

Anti-Spasmodics have 30 supporting compounds. They suppress smooth muscle contractions mostly within tubular organs such as the stomach intestine and bladder. This is effect is useful for gastric complaints such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

(3-N-BUTYL-PHTHALIDE, ALPHA-PINENE, ALPHA-TERPINENE, APIGENIN, APIIN, APIOLE, BENZALDEHYDE, BERGAPTEN, BETA-PINENE, CAFFEIC-ACID, GERANIOL, KAEMPFEROL, LIMONENE, LINALOOL, MYRCENE, MYRISTICIN, NARINGENIN, NERAL, NIACIN, P-COUMARIC-ACID, POTASSIUM, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, PSORALEN, QUERCETIN, RUTIN, SHIKIMIC-ACID, TERPINEN-4-OL, THYMOL, UMBELLIFERONE, XANTHOTOXIN)

We have been using Parsley medicinally for over 2650 years and for a variety of purposes, so let’s see what some of their purported traditional medicinal uses have been and match them to corresponding known pharmacological compound effects.

Abortifacient (induces abortion) (2)

Antibiotic (inhibits or destroys the growth of harmful bacterium) (42)

Aperient (laxative) (4)

Cancer (cancer preventative 43) (anti-existing cancer 11) (anti-tumour 38)

Carminative (prevents or eases the formation of gases in the alimentary canal) (1)

Diuretic (increases flow of water from the renal system) (14)

Emmenagogue (stimulate blood flow to the pelvic area in women) (1)

Fever (to reduce body temperature during a fevered condition only) (4)

Parasiticide (to kill or suppress parasites within the body) (1)

Pediculicide (to treat head lice or scabies) (69)

Stimulant (excitement of the central nervous system) (4)

Sudorific (helps with excessive sweating though not sweating caused by shock) (0)

Uteritis (helps with disorder of the uterus and menstruation) (5)

Imagine you see this as a content of a new supplement in a very bio-available form, you would think it's the best supplement ever:

Cancer Preventative effects are supported in Parsley with 43 compounds that are known to have a preventative action toward initial cancer development.

(5-METHOXY-PSORALEN, ALPHA-PINENE, ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL, APIGENIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BERGAPTEN, BETA-CAROTENE, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CAFFEIC-ACID, CHLOROGENIC-ACID, ERIODICTYOL, ESTRAGOLE, FIBER, GERANIOL, IMPERATORIN, ISOPIMPINELLIN, KAEMPFEROL, LIMONENE, LINALOOL, METHIONINE, MUCILAGE, MYRISTIC-ACID, MYRISTICIN, NARINGENIN, NIACIN, NICOTINAMIDE, OLEIC-ACID, OSTHOL, P-COUMARIC-ACID, PANTOTHENIC-ACID, PSORALEN, QUERCETIN, RIBOFLAVIN, ROSMARINIC-ACID, RUTIN, SELENIUM, SHIKIMIC-ACID, STIGMASTEROL, SUCCINIC-ACID, TAURINE, UMBELLIFERONE, VIT-B2, XANTHOTOXIN)

There are 42 compounds that support an Antibacterial effect in Parsley; these compounds effectively knock off bad bacteria more than anything else when applied.

(8-METHOXY-PSORALEN, ALPHA-PHELLANDRENE, ALPHA-PINENE, ALPHA-TERPINEOL, APIGENIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BENZALDEHYDE, BETA-PHENYLETHANOL, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CAFFEIC-ACID, CHLORINE, CHLOROGENIC-ACID, CITRIC-ACID, DELTA-3-CARENE, DELTA-CADINENE, DILLAPIOL, ERIODICTYOL, ETHANOL, FALCARINDIOL, FALCARINOL, GERANIOL, KAEMPFEROL, LIMONENE, LINALOOL, MALIC-ACID, MYRCENE, NARINGENIN, NERAL, P-COUMARIC-ACID, P-CYMENE, PHENETHYL-ALCOHOL, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, QUERCETIN, ROSMARINIC-ACID, RUTIN, SABINENE, SILVER, TERPINEN-4-OL, THYMOL, TIN, UMBELLIFERONE, XANTHOTOXIN)

Anti-oxidants with 32 compounds present in Parsley that help the body by donating their electrons (which they regain without harm) to stabilise free radicals who are missing theirs and therefore dangerous. This effect is affiliated to cancer prevention but it is not the only benefit of anti-oxidants for the body.

(ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL, APIGENIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BETA-CAROTENE, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CAFFEIC-ACID, CAMPESTEROL, CAMPHENE, CHLOROGENIC-ACID, ERIODICTYOL, FUMARIC-ACID, GAMMA-TERPINENE, KAEMPFEROL, LUTEIN, METHIONINE, MYRCENE, MYRISTIC-ACID, MYRISTICIN, NARINGENIN, P-COUMARIC-ACID, PALMITIC-ACID, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, QUERCETIN, ROSMARINIC-ACID, RUTIN, SELENIUM, SHIKIMIC-ACID, STIGMASTEROL, TAURINE, TERPINEN-4-OL, TERPINOLENE, THYMOL)

An Anti-Inflammatory effect is supported in Parsley with 31 compounds that are known to reduce inflammation, which is the intricate reaction of blood vessel tissue to various stimuli resulting in inflammation of that tissue.

(3-N-BUTYL-PHTHALIDE, ALPHA-PINENE, APIGENIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BERGAPTEN, BETA-PINENE, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CAFFEIC-ACID, CHLOROGENIC-ACID, COPPER, DELTA-3-CARENE, ERIODICTYOL, IMPERATORIN, ISOPIMPINELLIN, KAEMPFEROL, LIMONENE, LINALOOL, MAGNESIUM, MYRISTICIN, NARINGENIN, OLEIC-ACID, OSTHOL, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, QUERCETIN, ROSMARINIC-ACID, RUTIN, SALICYLATES, STIGMASTEROL, THYMOL, UMBELLIFERONE, XANTHOTOXIN)

Anti-Spasmodics have 30 supporting compounds. They suppress smooth muscle contractions mostly within tubular organs such as the stomach intestine and bladder. This is effect is useful for gastric complaints such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

(3-N-BUTYL-PHTHALIDE, ALPHA-PINENE, ALPHA-TERPINENE, APIGENIN, APIIN, APIOLE, BENZALDEHYDE, BERGAPTEN, BETA-PINENE, CAFFEIC-ACID, GERANIOL, KAEMPFEROL, LIMONENE, LINALOOL, MYRCENE, MYRISTICIN, NARINGENIN, NERAL, NIACIN, P-COUMARIC-ACID, POTASSIUM, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, PSORALEN, QUERCETIN, RUTIN, SHIKIMIC-ACID, TERPINEN-4-OL, THYMOL, UMBELLIFERONE, XANTHOTOXIN)

So you are really going to stop the HMR Lignans Caustic?

Why not take both of them at the same time?

Also, are you going to be taking Apigenin with it?

thanks

IH what do you think about the negative aspects of Bioperine? Over at Imminst.org a remember a couple of the members claiming it slowed down eigther phase I or II of liver detox. I'll try to dig up the thread.

CausticSymmetry wrote:Apigenin is found in chamomile. Swanson's Vitamins has been selling apigenin for about a year or so. Jarrow has a product called Stress tame that has 50 milligrams of Apigenin, the same amount that Swanson's has.

I've jumped onto Curcumin since figuring out why I used to get headaches from using it. Low blood sugar from taking it without food. Taking it with food, there are no problems.

There's an overwhelming amount of evidence now to use Curcumin. Inhibiting of Gsk-3beta, TGF-beta, E2 (Estradiol), modulates HPTA and stress and may protect against neurogenic inflammation.

IH - are you taking the Super Bio Circumin from LEF?

Prague wrote:great to hear that! I'm a huge apigenin fan, I've been into it for a while. The best source is parsley for sure - that's why i eat it in the moorning every day. I stated that in my previous posts that you can see the result within two days - your belly gets flat - I mean incredibely flat (which is the anti aromlatase activity). There are other sources but parsley is definitely the best one.

It sounds very easy but believe me - parsley, lemon and pine nuts int the moorning is a way to go.

Exactly how much Parsley do you eat every morning?

And why the pine nuts?

Thanks!

I think a more costfriendly approach to curcumin is to mix it with plain turmeric powder, as an alternative
to bio-curcumin. Lef wrote something about that the 95% curcumin extract does not absorb well but
"going back to the roots" and incorporating other elements of the whole herb increases absorption.

If we take half 95% extract and mix it up with half whole herb, wouldnt that work?

Scotty, if you check the current regime page you can see that IH updated the list (added bio-curcumin).

i'm intrigued by the parsley too...prague what is your morning regimen (ie how much of parsley lemon and pine nuts and how do you taken them?)?

Seems I was a little confused. LEF's Curcumin that IH suggests doesn't contain bioperine. This is why one might want to stay away from bioperine.

Piperine has been found to inhibit human CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, enzymes important for the metabolism and transport of xenobiotics and metabolites. Bioperine ("piperine") can inhibit enzymes important in drug metabolism. By inhibiting drug metabolism, piperine may increase the bioavailability of various compounds.

I second Joejoebaggins, not everyone maybe suited for Bioperine. Also if Capsiacin (Cayenne Pepper) is used it can act as a substitute for it if desired.

edci, my regimen looks like this:

some water, then black tea; lemon, ginger and pollen

for breakfest i go for squeezed grapefruit, kiwi or parsley, radish

then some supplements (maca, ashwagandha, kudzu, colostrum, green tea-pine bark-grapeseed, mucuna pruriens, i rotate it)

and then later some nuts - if i eat fruit i make a pause, if veggies i eat the nuts with

at around 2pm i eat a salad (or broccoli soup) with some protein (fish, eggs, nuts) with supplements (fish oil, maca, kudzu, ashwagandha, magnesium, fo-ti, ginseng) if hugry, some almonds (sometimes about 5g of l-gluthamine)

then some cofee, l-carnitine, maca again maybe

workout

then colostrum, ALA, cq10, some creatine sometimes, maca, turmeric, kudzu

a big meal, probiotics, red wine

dark chocolate

some herbal infusion

zma, damiana, passion flower before bed

protein shake with l-glutamine in workout days

i do skip some supplements, rotate, forget or take more
i eat parsley whenever i eat at home beforae a meal

What I think is cool in regard to Pragues way to do it, is that there is not a clear distinction between what is food and what is supplement. And of course this is the ideal way to do it, but it lacks behind on practicality, unless it becomes a lifestyle. Maybe a WD lifestyle.

cpio

this is how i see it. Food is the best supplement for me - look at parsley comparing to apigenin extract. Same goes for flax, broccoli, turmeric, tomatoes, avocado, nuts, parsley, pollen, almonds. i dont believe in taking ala, alc and then eating junk food

Btw i got tagged on facebook at an old pic (some 2 years ago) where you can see the NW3 pattern (my hair was better then before, i was for some 3months on maca and fo-ti and kudzu and IH6). it's not the best picture but you can get the idea of my regrowth if you see a recent one. If someone wants to see the pics, send me a pm

Prague wrote:cpio

i dont believe in taking ala, alc and then eating junk food

I totally agree Prague, but ALA has chelation benefits that can't be overlooked if you have heavy metals.

joejoe,

nothing against ala or alc, i take them both. I meant it's better to eat good things than taking supps and eating junkf food. The best thing is to take ala alc and eating good things

Prague I'm on facebook too. Whats the link to your NW balding photo and your new one?