Exogenous stimulation with Eclipta alba promotes hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation and downregulates TGF-β1 expression in nude mice

  • Authors:
    • Shahnaz Begum
    • Mi Ra Lee
    • Li Juan Gu
    • Jamil Hossain
    • Chang Keun Sung
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 4, 2014     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2014.2022
  • Pages: 496-502
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Abstract

Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk (E. alba) is a traditionally acclaimed medicinal herb used for the promotion of hair growth. However, to the best of our knowledge, no report has been issued to date on its effects on genetically distorted hair follicles (HFs). In this study, we aimed to identify an agent (stimuli) that may be beneficial for the restoration of human hair loss and which may be used as an alternative to synthetic drugs. We investigated the effects of petroleum ether extract (PEE) and different solvent fractions of E. alba on HFs of nude mice. Treatment was performed by topical application on the backs of nude mice and the changes in hair growth patterns were evaluated. Histological analysis was carried out to evaluate the HF morphology and the structural differences. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed to visualize follicular keratinocyte proliferation. The histological assessments revealed that the PEE-treated skin specimens exhibited prominent follicular hypertrophy. Subsequently, IHC staining revealed a significant increase (p<0.001) in the number of follicular keratinocytes in basal epidermal and matrix cells. Our results also demonstrated that PEE significantly (p<0.001) reduced the levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) expression during early anagen and anagen-catagen transition. Our results suggest that PEE of E. alba acts as an important exogenous mediator that stimulates follicular keratinocyte proliferation and delays terminal differentiation by downregulating TGF-β1 expression. Thus, this study highlights the potential use of PEE of E. alba in the treatment of certain types of alopecia.
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February-2015
Volume 35 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Begum S, Lee MR, Gu LJ, Hossain J and Sung CK: Exogenous stimulation with Eclipta alba promotes hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation and downregulates TGF-β1 expression in nude mice. Int J Mol Med 35: 496-502, 2015.
APA
Begum, S., Lee, M.R., Gu, L.J., Hossain, J., & Sung, C.K. (2015). Exogenous stimulation with Eclipta alba promotes hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation and downregulates TGF-β1 expression in nude mice. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 35, 496-502. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2014.2022
MLA
Begum, S., Lee, M. R., Gu, L. J., Hossain, J., Sung, C. K."Exogenous stimulation with Eclipta alba promotes hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation and downregulates TGF-β1 expression in nude mice". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 35.2 (2015): 496-502.
Chicago
Begum, S., Lee, M. R., Gu, L. J., Hossain, J., Sung, C. K."Exogenous stimulation with Eclipta alba promotes hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation and downregulates TGF-β1 expression in nude mice". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 35, no. 2 (2015): 496-502. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2014.2022