Baicalin is a chemical extracted from the Radix plant. Interestingly, some research (cited below), hs shown that the chemical upregulates the Wnt signaling pathways Wnt3a, Wnt5a as well as frizzled 6 and disheveled 2. Quite a bit of previous research on the upregulation of the Wnt pathways has shown it causes the proliferation of dermal papilla cells. This could be understood in lay terms as follows:
When Baiclin is applied to the hair follicle, it seems to stimulate chemical messenger pathways, causing increased hair growth. Here’s an extract from the study:
The results indicate that baicalin stimulates the expression of Wnt3a, Wnt5a, frizzled 7 and disheveled 2 whilst inhibiting the Axin/casein kinase 1α/adenomatous polyposis coli/glycogen synthase kinase 3β degradation complex, leading to accumulation of β-catenin and activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In addition, baicalin was observed to increase the alkaline phosphatase levels in dermal papillar cells, a process which was dependent on Wnt pathway activation.
Via PMC
Chemicals that can stimulate the Wnt signalling pathways are very exciting in hair loss research because they seem to be a safe and effective way to ‘switch on’ hair growth, without interfering with hormones, which may have adverse side effects.
More to follow.
