Abstract
Hair loss is a prevalent condition that affects individuals across all ages and genders. Its causes are multifactorial, involving genetic predisposition, hormonal imbalances, aging, stress and air pollution factors. A previous randomized clinical trial, reveals that daily administration of 100mg of pea sprout extract (PSE) for 8 weeks significantly increased hair density in patients, however, the underlying mechanisms remained unclear. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of PSE in promoting hair growth. In vitro experiments were conducted using human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) and RAW 264.7 macrophage cells alongside an in vivo study in a C57BL/6 mouse model. Our study demonstrates that PSE promotes hair growth by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, upregulating hair growth-promoting factors, including IGF-1 and FGF7, while downregulating growth inhibitory factors, including IL-1β and BMP4. This indicates that PSE effectively modulates the balance of growth factors by enhancing dermal papilla-associated signaling, thereby harmonizing the hair growth cycle. Furthermore, our results reveal that PSE exhibits anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help protect hair follicles from oxidative stress and inflammatory damage, processes that can be influenced by environmental pollutants. Inflammation relief involves the use of anti-inflammatory agents to suppress pro inflammatory cytokines, thereby improving the microenvironment surrounding hair follicles and supporting hair growth. PSE is a promising natural ingredient, offering potential benefits in combating hair loss and promoting healthier hair growth by modulating key signaling pathways and providing protective effects. Its potential as a potential natural alopecia treatment warrants more research.