Figure 1. The Hair structure “Reprinted with permission from Ref. [The human hair: From anatomy to physiology. Int. J. Dermatol.] 2013, Buffoli, B.; Rinaldi, F.; Labanca, M.; Sorbellini, E.; Trink, A.; Guanziroli, E.; Rezzani, R.; Rodella, L.F. et al. [1]. Figure 2. The Hair cycle “Reprinted with permission from Ref. [The hair cycle. Journal of cell science]. 2022, Alonso L, Fuchs E. et al.” [16].

Figure 3. The structure of Stratum Corneum.

Figure 4. Factors affecting gene expression.

Figure 5. Drugs act on the hair cycle and factors affecting it.

Figure 6. Herbal medicines acting on DHT and 5α-reductase.

Figure 7. Drugs affecting PKC enzyme.

Figure 8. Drugs affecting the IGF factor.

Table 2. The factors acting on a hair growth cycle.

Table 2. The factors acting on a hair growth cycle.

Sr. NoFactorsEffectsStimulation/Inhibition for Growth.1Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)Stimulates cellular proliferation and inhibits DHT.Stimulation2Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)Supply the nutrients and increased the blood circulation on the scalp, resulting in stimulation of hair growth.Stimulation3Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2)Stimulation to the hair follicle development.Stimulation4Fibroblast growth factor-5 (FGF-5)Inhibition of hair growth in the anagen phase.Inhibition5Epidermal growth factor (EGF)Proliferation and formation of hair follicles.Stimulation6Wingless-related integration site (WNT)Stimulates, the growth, and development of hair follicles.Stimulation8Prostaglandin (PGD)Hair growth inhibition.Inhibition9Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)Reduce the duration of a cycle.Inhibition

Table 3. Herbal drugs act on stimulation and inhibition by different factors.

Table 3. Herbal drugs act on stimulation and inhibition by different factors.

Biological SourceExtract.Mechanism of ActionEffectsReferenceSweet potato shochu-Increases expression of vascular endothelial growth factorThe hair growth-inducing effect promotes hair growth and activates the hair growth cycle. Act as a hair restorer[73]Ginkgo bilobaEthanolicIncrease VEGF and HGF levels, and decrease Inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-β.The hair-growth promoting effect, treat alopecia areata,[74]Prunus miraPet. etherInduce anagen, by Wnt\β-catenin, protein expression.Promoting hair growth, induction of anagen phase.[75]Ginsenoside Rb-Increases VEGFA and VEGF-R2, while decreasing the TGF-β expression in hair follicles and DPCs.Promoted the growth of hair follicle cells. Induce the growth of DPCs.[76]Cinnamomum osmophloeumAqueousIncreases HGF, VEGF, KGF, TGF-β2 (↑)Promotion of anagen, proliferation of dermal papilla cells, stimulate hair growth, prevent hair loss.[77]Centella asiaticaEthanolicIncreases expression VEGF in DPCsHair growth stimulating effect, modulating DPCs, antioxidant activity.[78]Sargassum muticum Activates the Wnt/β-Catenin, VEGF-R2Hair-fiber lengths increase promotes the anagen phase and the proliferation of dermal papilla cells[79]

Table 4. Herbal medicines act by modulating the hair cycle.

Table 4. Herbal medicines act by modulating the hair cycle.

Biological SourceExtractMechanism of ActionEffectsReferencePunica granatumAlcoholic and aqueous extractsStimulate telogen follicle and makes larger anagen follicles size.Anti-dandruff activity and growth-promoting effects on hair.[84]Hibiscus rosa-sinensisPetroleum etherTransformation from telogen to anagen phase.Thicker hair and prevents graying of hair[85]Nardostachys jatamansiHexaneEnlargement of follicles prolongs the anagen phase.Hair growth-promoting activity[87]Polygonum multiflorum extractAqueousProliferation by MTT (↑)Increased in hair fiber length[89]Crataegus pinnatifida extract-Activates protein kinases.Induction of anagen phase[90]Origanum vulgare extract-Stimulation of insulin growth factor- (IGF-)The proliferation of hair dermal papilla cells.[91]Panax ginsengEthanolicAnti-apoptotic activation.Elongation of the anagen phase.[92]Aconitum ciliare Tuber extractAqueousActivates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathwayInduce anagen hair growth[93]Schisandra nigra extractEthanolicTransforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-beta2)Promote hair growth[79]Erica multiflora extractEthanolicProliferation by MTT (↑) G2/M phase in the cell cycle (↑)Telogen to anagen induction[94]Asiasari radix extractEthanolicThymidine incorporation (↑), VEGF (↑)Telogen to anagen conversion[95]

Table 5. Herbal medicines act on DHT and 5α-reductase.

Table 5. Herbal medicines act on DHT and 5α-reductase.

Biological SourceExtractMechanism of ActionEffectsReferenceEclipta albaMethanolic5-reductase inhibitionHair growth-promoting activity[98]Cuscuta reflexaPet. etherInhibition of 5a-reductase activityHair growth promote[99,104]Boehmeria nipononiveaAcetone5 reductase Type II InhibitorsHair regrowth promotion[100]Emblica officinalisAqueousPowerful inhibitor of 5α-reductaseAntibacterial and anti-microbial properties nourish hair.[101]Rosmarinus officinalisEssential oilsInhibiting 5-alpha-reductase, improving vascularity of scalp.Stimulate the growth of hair regeneration of follicles[102]Scutellaria baicalensis extract-Androgen receptor antagonistic effect DHT (↓)The proliferation of hair dermal papilla cells[79,103]

Table 6. Herbal drugs acting on PKC enzyme.

Table 6. Herbal drugs acting on PKC enzyme.

Biological Source/PhytoconstituentsMechanism of ActionEffectsReferenceCinnamomum verumProtein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors,Promotion of epithelial cell growth and induce anagen phase.[105]Bacopa monnieraProtein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors,enlargement of follicular size and prolongation of the anagen phase[106]

Table 7. Herbal drugs acting on IGF.

Table 7. Herbal drugs acting on IGF.

Biological Source/Phytoconstituents.Mechanism of ActionEffectsReferenceCapsicum annumProduction of
IGF-IPromotes hair
growth.[107]Stephania cepharanthapProduction of
IGF-IInduction of hair
growth[108,109]

Table 8. Patents for herbal extract-based nanomedicines.

Table 8. Patents for herbal extract-based nanomedicines.

Patent NumberTitleDescriptionReferenceUs 2010/0104646a1Nanoparticle composition for prevention of hair loss and promotion of hair growthThis invention formulates the herbal hair care composition-based lecithin-capsuled nanoparticles. Nanoparticles activates hair follicles. It has antioxidant effects.[165]Kr1020050024694ar100675808b1Composition for nano particle comprising henna extract and manufacturing method for nano particle using itThis invention relates to a nano particle comprising henna extract, lecithin, ethanol, triglyceride, anionic surfactant
for hair treatments.[166]Wo2017057881a1Composition for preventing hair loss or promoting hair growth, containing ginseng-derived exosome-like vesiclesThis invention formulates ginseng-derived exosome-like vesicles for hair loss or promoting hair growth[167]Kr101536996b1Hair growth-promoting ingredient-loaded and skin temperature-responsive ionic polymer-immobilized lipidic nanostructures and method for preparation of the sameThis invention formulates ionic polymer-immobilized lipidic nanostructures contains Thuja orientalis, Polygonum multiflorum, and espinosilla.
For promoting hair growth[168]Kr101883719b1Composition for transdermal delivery comprising nanoemulsion and modified layered double hydroxideThis invention formulates nanoemulsion and modified layered double hydroxide for hair care[169]Kr20040033117aCompositions for hair cosmetic containing nano-emulsionThis invention is concerned with nano-emulsion based natural source polymer for hair care[170]