Hair loss is a concern for millions of men worldwide. But now, scientists in Japan have made an exciting discovery. They found that two plant extracts—Phellodendron bark and tangerine peel—can encourage hair growth.
Phellodendron bark is a thick bark that grows in tropical Asia. Tangerine peel, also known as Chinpi, is the dried rind of citrus fruits. Both extracts are easy to find globally and are low-cost, making them promising ingredients for future hair treatments.
How the Plant Extracts Work
The research team at Rohto Pharmaceutical explained that these plant extracts increase the production of a protein called placental growth factor (PlGF). This protein is linked to hair growth.
According to the team, “The plant extracts Phellodendron and Chinpi have the effect of producing PlGF, which is related to hair growth.” They added that this technology could eventually be used not only for scalp hair but also for eyelashes and other hair areas.
The researchers said, “We will continue our research to make more customers’ hair healthier.”
The Scale of Hair Loss and Current Treatments
In the UK alone, over 15.4 million people suffer from hair loss. Treatments range from wigs to topical medicines. However, many existing methods are expensive and do not always work fully.
Rohto Pharmaceuticals aims to offer a new, effective option through their research.
Research Focus and Findings
The team has been studying hair care for years, developing products for hair growth, repair, and cleansing. Despite the growing market for these products, they noticed customers face difficulties choosing the right solution due to factors like cost, ingredients, and effectiveness.
This led them to investigate PlGF, a protein made by dermal papilla cells at the base of hair follicles. Although less studied than other growth factors, PlGF plays a crucial role in hair formation.
The researchers tested various plant extracts to see which could boost PlGF production. They found that both Phellodendron bark and Citrus grandis (tangerine) peel extracts increased PlGF production by about two times compared to untreated cells.
Next Steps: Developing New Hair Growth Products
Encouraged by these results, the Rohto team plans to develop new hair growth products using these plant extracts. These products aim to help both men and women dealing with hair loss.
This discovery marks a promising step toward more accessible and natural hair loss treatments in the near future.
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