Staphylococcus epidermidis Cicaria, a Novel Strain Derived from the Human Microbiome, and Its Efficacy as a Treatment for Hair Loss

Molecules. 2022 Aug 12;27(16):5136. doi: 10.3390/molecules27165136.
Staphylococcus epidermidis Cicaria, a Novel Strain Derived from the Human Microbiome, and Its Efficacy as a Treatment for Hair Loss
HyungWoo Jo 1, Seon Yu Kim 2, Byung Ha Kang 3, Chaeyun Baek 1, Jeong Eun Kwon 2, Jin Woo Jeang 2, Young Mok Heo 1, Hye-Been Kim 1, Chan Yeong Heo 4 5, So Min Kang 6, Byung Ho Shin 6, Da Yeong Nam 6, Yeong-Geun Lee 2, Se Chan Kang 2, Dong-Geol Lee 1

The skin tissue of the scalp is unique from other skin tissues because it coexists with hair, and many differences in microbial composition have been confirmed. In scalp tissues, hair loss occurs due to a combination of internal and external factors, and several studies are being conducted to counteract this. However, not many studies have addressed hair loss from the perspective of the microbiome. In this study, subjects with hair loss and those with normal scalps were set as experimental and control groups, respectively. In the experimental group, hair loss had progressed, and there was a large difference in microbiome composition compared to the group with normal scalps. In particular, differences in Accumulibacter, Staphylococcus, and Corynebacterium were found. From Staphylococcus epidermidis Cicaria, two active components were isolated as a result of repeated column chromatography. Spectroscopic data led to the determination of chemical structures for adenosine and biotin. Fractions were obtained, and ex vivo tests were conducted using hair follicles derived from human scalp tissue. When the microbiome adenosine-treated group was compared to the control group, hair follicle length was increased, and hair root diameter was maintained during the experimental periods. In addition, the Cicaria culture medium and the microbial adenosine- and biotin-treated groups maintained the anagen phase, reducing progression to the catagen phase in the hair growth cycle. In conclusion, it was confirmed that the Cicaria culture medium and the microbial adenosine and biotin derived from the culture were effective in inhibiting hair loss.

Keywords: Staphylococcus; adenosine; biotin; cicaria; hair microbes; microbiome; skin-microbiome.

long form:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9414784/

CS, do you know any natural sources?

Atlas wrote:CS, do you know any natural sources?

So in this case, I suspect that perhaps the use of adenosine, derived from the Cicaria culture supernatant, contributed to improved hair growth by enhancing hair follicle length and sustaining the anagen phase. This indicates that adenosine was used for its hair growth-promoting properties, and its efficacy was compared to control groups to assess its potential as a treatment for hair loss.

For example, Adenosine is a naturally occurring nucleoside involved in energy transfer and cellular signaling.

From what I've read over the years, Adenosine is essentially equivalent to the 'potency' of Minoxidil in terms of increasing blood flow, plus it enhances vasodilation, promoting the expression of growth factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), etc.

It is entirely possible that the culture itself have have been not as substantial as the adenosine found in the supernatant that did the work.

It's worth mentioning that this was a topical and studies do verify that topical adenosine can improve hair density and thickness versus minoxidil, with fewer side effects.

That said, since the "yogurt experiments" I started just recently, probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus Reuteri and Lactobacillus plantarum are pro-hair growth.