Abstract

Objectives This study was conducted to evaluate the hair growth-promoting effects by Rumex japonicas Houttuyn ethanol extract (RJHEE) in C57BL/6N mice and HaCaT cells. Methods The hair growth effect was examined by topical application of RJHEE on the shaved dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice. Six-week old mice were depilated and separated in 4 groups; CON (vehicle treatment), MXD (2% Minoxidil), and RJHEE (2% and 4%). The treatments were applied daily for 17 days. The hair growth was determined photographically and the hair density, thickness and length were identified by Folliscope. In dorsal skin tissue, the expression of hair growth-related protein was analyzed by Western blotting. In HaCaT cells, the cell proliferation and the protection against H2O2-induced cell damage by RJHEE were analyzed. Results Our results indicate that RJHEE promote the hair growth, hair density, thickness and length. RHE activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling and induced the expression of cell survival-related proteins, such as pERK/ERK and Bcl-2/Bax. In HaCaT, RJHEE accelerated the cell proliferation and protected the H2O2-induced cell damage. Conclusions Our results strongly suggest that RJHEE promotes hair growth by regulating the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and cell survival signaling and protects oxidative stress-induced hair damage. Therefore, RJHEE has a hair growth activity and can be useful for the treatment of alopecia.