A Chinese herbal complex studied for potential to promote hair growth in bald mice

A Korean study reported that a traditional Chinese herbal complex was able to encourage hair regeneration in bald mice. Comprised of parts from the chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata), the Korean perilla (Perilla frutescens), and green tea, the extract could offer a natural way to amend spot baldness (alopecia areata).

The study was supported by the Catholic University of Korea. The findings were published in the scientific journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

• The chameleon plant, Korean perilla, and green tea are considered herbal medicines in Asia. Traditional Chinese medicine prescribes that they be taken together as a remedy for spot baldness.
• Groups of mice were orally given either 200 or 400 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) doses of the herbal complex or one mg/kg of finasteride, a standard drug used for spot baldness treatment. They received the treatment for 25 days.
• Researchers measured hair growth through visual means and under a microscope. They also analyzed the insulin-like growth factor and transforming growth factor-β1.
• Mice that received the herbal complex experienced faster hair regrowth compared to untreated mice. Their subcutaneous tissue sported more hair follicles with larger diameters.
• The insulin-like growth factor in herbal complex-treated mice was higher than in untreated mice. Treated mice’s transforming growth factor-β1 levels, on the other hand, are lower.

The researchers believe their findings serve as initial experimental evidence in support of the Chinese herbal complex’s ability to encourage hair regeneration.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

You can find more articles about natural means of promoting hair regrowth at Natural.news.

Journal reference

Chung MS, Bae WJ, Choi SW, Lee KW, Jeong HC, Bashraheel F, Jeon SH, Jung JW, Yoon BI, Kwon EB, et al. AN ASIAN TRADITIONAL HERBAL COMPLEX CONTAINING HOUTTUYNIA CORDATA THUNB, PERILLA FRUTESCENS VAR. ACUTA AND GREEN TEA STIMULATES HAIR GROWTH IN MICE. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2017;17(1).