Potential New Treatment For Hair Growth

Scientists from the Laboratory of Dairy Food Science, Hokkaido University Propolis are working on a possible use of propolis, a natural honeybee hive product that is formed from resinous plant substances and honeybee secretions. propolis is used by Honeybees as a physical sealant for small, unwanted gaps in the hive that result from its waxy nature. It was found that Propolis was used by the ancient people for its antibacterial properties that inhibit fungal and bacterial growth. The study showed that Propolis contains multiple physiologically active substances, such as caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, kaempferide, and kaempferol that exhibit anti-inflammatory activity. In addition, scientists also found that these components of propolis may affect the growth of hair, a keratinized, epithelial structure. Hair follicles are tubular pouches in the skin in which active proliferation of hair epithelial cells, also known as matrix keratinocytes, gives rise to hair growth.

According to the study, Propolis has been reported to facilitate re-epithelialization or regrowth by stimulating the proliferation of keratinocytes. These stimulatory effects of propolis on epithelial cell proliferation have also been observed in the epithelial cells of the eye and mouth. Even though cell proliferation is the key to hair growth and propolis seems to be of use, the influence of propolis on hair growth is yet unknown. In this study conducted, two types of mouse models were used and the effects of propolis were studied. Scientists finally concluded that propolis has a good potential as a treatment to promote hair growth.



Source-Medindia