Oil Body Bound Oleosin-rhFGF9 Fusion Protein Expressed in Safflower Stimulates Hair Growth and Wound Healing in Mice

In 2018, a study was conducted on the effects of an oil body bound oleosin-rhFGF9 fusion protein expressed in safflower on hair growth and wound healing in C57BL/6 mice. The protein was found to stimulate hair growth and wound healing, increasing the number of hair follicles and the rate of hair growth, and enhancing the proliferation and migration of skin cells. The protein was confirmed to be present in the safflower seeds, making up 0.14% of the oil body protein. In experiments, the protein induced hair growth through the up-regulation of β-catenin and accelerated wound healing, with wounds almost completely healed by day 10. The study concluded that the oil body bound oleosin-rhFGF9 fusion protein could potentially be used in treatments for hair loss and wound healing.