The promoting effect of shikimic acid on hair growth
January 2020
The study investigated the effects of shikimic acid (SA) on hair growth using an in vivo C57BL/6 mouse model and ex vivo human hair organ culture. SA was found to significantly prolong anagen hair growth in mice and enhance hair shaft elongation in human hair cultures. The study confirmed the expression of the mannose receptor, a known receptor of SA, in human hair follicles and demonstrated that SA increased the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells and outer root sheath cells. Additionally, SA treatment led to increased levels of growth factors and proteins associated with cell proliferation. These findings suggested that SA could promote hair growth and potentially serve as a therapeutic agent for alopecia.