Deciphering the Skin Anti-Aging and Hair Growth Promoting Mechanisms of Opophytum Forskahlii Seed Oil via Network Pharmacology
December 2025
in “
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
”
Opophytum forskahlii seed oil linoleic acid oleic acid fibroblast proliferation collagenase elastase COX-1 COX-2 minoxidil PPARG ESR1 IL6 hair follicle antioxidant defenses collagen production inflammation modulation OFSO Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma Estrogen receptor 1 Interleukin 6
TLDR Opophytum forskahlii seed oil may help with anti-aging and hair growth.
The study investigated the skin anti-aging and hair growth-promoting effects of Opophytum forskahlii seed oil (OFSO). GC-MS analysis showed high levels of linoleic and oleic acids. OFSO enhanced fibroblast proliferation and inhibited enzymes like collagenase and elastase, indicating anti-aging potential. It also exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting COX-1 and COX-2. In a hair growth study with adult male Wistar rats, OFSO outperformed minoxidil, showing almost complete hair coverage and increased hair follicle numbers. Network pharmacology identified PPARG, ESR1, and IL6 as key genes involved in OFSO's effects, suggesting its role in antioxidant defenses, collagen production, and inflammation modulation. The findings support OFSO's potential in cosmetic formulations for anti-aging and hair growth.
