Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) regulate hair follicle development. We aimed to investigate the effect of scoparone from Dendrobium densiflorum on DPCs in the induction of stem cell properties and pluripotency-related proteins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DPC viability was evaluated by the MTT assay. Apoptosis or necrosis of DPCs was determined by Hoecsht33342/PI nuclear staining analysis. Expression of OCT4, NANOG and SOX2 genes was determined using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis were performed to determine pluripotency related proteins. RESULTS: Scoparone increased the expression of pluripotency related transcription factors SOX2 and NANOG, while it had minimal effects on OCT4 levels. Scoparone exerted its stemness-enhancing activity through the up-regulation of Akt-dependent inhibition of GSK3β, resulting in increased cellular levels of β-catenin. CONCLUSION: Our results show a potential novel activity and mechanism of action of scoparone on human DPCs that could facilitate the development of hair enrichment approaches.