Purpose : Hair loss, which is the typical source of trouble in modern society, is a result of genetic and environmental influences. Many domestic Hair growing drug have been developed and researched and are in the market but there are only two products, Minoxidil and Propecia, officially proven by FDA. Recently, substances from seaweeds are widely used in hair growth solutions, and they are proved to be effective. Seaweed has been documented to possess hair growth activity; however, no report on the effect of Seaweed on hair regeneration has been issued to date. In this study, we will find out which exact substance effects on hair growth by mechanism studying.

Methods :　The study was conducted in order to investigate the hair restoring effect of domestic natural substances; we categorized this experiment as seaweed, cereal, and herbal medicine. The experimental model was the C57BL/6 mouse; topical treatment with Necleanⓡ was administered for removal of hair of five-week-old mice. Five experimental groups were included: the saline group (negative control), 50% EtOH (solvent control), seaweed group, cereal group, and herbal medicine group. Re-growth of hair was determined photographically and histologically and analysis was performed using a high-resolution hair analysis system. Real time PCR was performed for measurement of the quantity of endocrine factors, IGF-I and TGF-ß1, in skin of mice.

Results : The three extracts (seaweed, cereal, and herbal medicine) were administered to C57BL/6 mice for two weeks after depilation. Depilated areas were found to be completely covered with fully grown hair, and hair re-growth score was highest in the seaweed group. Using a hair analysis system, hair density, thickness, and follicle size were measured in all groups on days 10 and 14 after depilation. Width and length of the hair follicle were largest in the seaweed group. Groups treated with seaweed and herbal medicine showed significantly increased gene expression of IGF-1, and decreased expression of TGF-β1 was observed in the three extract-treated groups, compared to the control groups.

Conclusion : Findings from our study suggested that seaweed possesses activities for promotion of hair-growth effect and might be useful for treatment of alopecia.