Abstract

In the course of screening natural extracts for hair growth, we found that the extract of dried root of Sophora flavescens has the prominent hair growth promoting effect. After topical application of Sophora flavescens extract to the back of C57BL/6 mice, the earlier conversion of telogen-to-anagen phase was induced. In addition, the Sophora flavescens extract revealed to possess potent inhibitory effect on $5{\alpha}$-reductase Ⅰ and Ⅱ activity. The growth of dermal papilla cells and mouse vibrissae hair follicle cultured in vitro, however, was not affected by Sophora flavescens extract treatment. RT-PCR analysis showed that Sophora flavescens extract induced mRNA levels of growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ and keratinocyte growth factor in dermal papilla cells, suggesting hair growth promoting effect of Sophora flavescens extract is mediated through inhibition of $5{\alpha}$-reductase type Ⅱ activity and the regulation of growth factors in dermal papilla cells. Furthermore, Sophora flavescens extract also showed anti-bacterial effect on Propionibacterium acnes. These results suggest that Sophora flavescens can be used as a potent treatment agent for helping hair growth stimulation and acne inhibition.

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