Connarus semidecandrus Jack Exerts Anti-Alopecia Effects by Targeting 5α-Reductase Activity and an Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Abstract

There is a growing demand for hair loss treatments with minimal side effects and recurrence potential. Connarus semidecandrus Jack has been used as a folk medicine for fever in tropical regions, but its anti-alopecia effects remain unclear. In this study, the anti-androgenic alopecia effect of an ethanol extract of Connarus semidecandrus Jack (Cs-EE) was demonstrated in a testosterone-induced androgenic alopecia (AGA) model, in terms of the hair–skin ratio, hair type frequency, and hair thickness. The area of restored hair growth and thickened hair population after Cs-EE treatment showed the hair-growth-promoting effect of Cs-EE. Histological data support the possibility that Cs-EE could reduce hair loss and upregulate hair proliferation in mouse skin by shifting hair follicles from the catagen phase to the anagen phase. Western blotting indicated that Cs-EE reduced the expression of the androgenic receptor. Cs-EE treatment also inhibited programmed cell death by upregulating Bcl-2 expression at the mRNA and protein levels. The anti-alopecia effect of Cs-EE was confirmed by in vitro experiments showing that Cs-EE had suppressive effects on 5-α reductase activity and lymph node carcinoma of the prostate proliferation, and a proliferative effect on human hair-follicle dermal papilla (HDP) cells. Apoptotic pathways in HDP cells were downregulated by Cs-EE treatment. Thus, Cs-EE could be a potential treatment for AGA.

Caizhixuan hair tonic regulates both apoptosis and the PI3K/Akt pathway to treat androgenetic alopecia

“…The released cytochrome c combines with procaspase 9 and other complexes to form apoptosomes. These apoptosomes then activate the caspase-3 signalling cascade, thereby inducing cell destruction [37]. Studies have shown that the PI3K/Akt pathway may play a key role in apoptosis.…”

Natural Products for Cosmetic Applications

“…Some of these papers were inspired by information on the use of plants in traditional medicine, such as the photoaging effect of Potentilla glabra [ 3 ], wound healing and melanogenic inhibitory effect of Angelica polymorpha flower [ 4 ], stretch mark inhibition effect of Lagerstroemia indica flowers [ 5 ], anti-hair loss effect of Ulmus davidiana and Connarus semidecandrus [ 6 , 7 ], anti-aging effect of Cirsium japonicum flowers [ 8 ], and whitening effect of Pouteria macrophylla fruit [ 9 ].…”