Cedrol from Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco regulates M1/M2 polarization of macrophages and promotes hair regeneration

The study demonstrates that cedrol (CE), a compound from Platycladus orientalis, significantly promotes hair growth in an imiquimod-induced alopecia areata (AA) mouse model and in vitro mouse hair follicles. CE's effectiveness surpasses that of the FDA-approved drug baricitinib, highlighting its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for AA. The anti-AA effects of CE are linked to its ability to regulate macrophage polarization and inhibit the STAT and MAPK signaling pathways, offering new insights into its pharmacological mechanism and potential drug development targets for treating AA.