Nature-derived lignan compound VB-1 exerts hair growth-promoting effects by augmenting Wnt/?-catenin signaling in human dermal papilla cells.

ABSTRACT: Background:Vitexin is a kind of lignan compound which has been shown to possess a variety of pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-cancer activities. However the effect of vitexin on hair regeneration has not been elaborated. Methods:The proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) was examined by cell counting and continuous cell culture after vitexin compound 1 (VB-1) was treated. The expression of lef1, wnt5a, bmp2, bmp4, alpl and vcan was examined by RT-PCR. The expression of dkk1, tgf-?1, active-?-Catenin, and AXIN2 was examined by RT-PCR or immunoblotting. Hair shaft growth was measured in the absence or presence of VB-1. Results:We demonstrated that VB-1 significantly promotes the proliferation of hDPCs in a concentration-dependent manner within a certain concentration range. Among the hair growth-related genes investigated, dkk1 was clearly down-regulated in hDPCs treated with VB-1. The increased active ?-Catenin and decreased AXIN2 protein levels suggest that VB-1 facilitates Wnt/?-catenin signaling in hDPCs in vitro. The expression of DP signature genes was also upregulated after VB-1 treatment. Our study further indicated that VB-1 promotes human hair follicle (HF) growth by HF organ culture assay. Discussion:VB-1 may exert hair growth-promoting effects via augmenting Wnt/?-catenin signaling in hDPCs.

SUBMITTER: Luo J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5947041 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature