• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.146-155
• /
• 2017

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Crataegi Fructus water extract(CFWE) on hair growth in an alopecia model of C57BL/6N mice and human dermal papilla cells(hDPCs). Methods : Six-week old mice were depilated and separated in 3 groups ; CON, MXD(2% Minoxidil), and CFWE. The treatments were applied twice a day for 18 days. The hair growth was determined photographically. The hair density, thickness and length were identified by Folliscope and the weights of body were measured. In dorsal skin tissue, the expression of hair growth-related protein was analyzed by Western blot. In hDPCs with/without $IFN-{\gamma}$, cell proliferation and the expression of hair growth-related genes were analyzed. Results : We observed that CFWE promoted hair growth compared to CON. CFWE improved the hair density, thickness and length compared to CON. CFWE increased the $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin signaling in dorsal skin. In hDPCs, CFWE accelerated the cell proliferation and inhibited $IFN-{\gamma}$-induced hDPCs degeneration. CFWE increased the mRNA expression of ${\beta}$-catenin, Axin-2, BMP-4, FGF-7, FGF-10, and ALP compared to CON and $IFN-{\gamma}$ treated cells. Conclusions : These results suggest that CFWE has a hair regrowth activity via $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin signaling and can be useful for the treatment of alopecia.