Cinnamon Discovered as a Treatment for Hair Loss

Researchers have demonstrated that a compound found in cinnamon, the aromatic spice, stimulates hair follicle growth in laboratory experiments. They are now directing their efforts toward utilizing this discovery to develop a new treatment for reversing hair loss using natural compounds.

Our hair is a significant symbol of beauty, pride, and general well-being, playing a pivotal role in shaping our identity and influencing others’ perceptions of us. Conversely, experiencing hair loss can lead to considerable emotional stress and diminish our overall quality of life.

Hair restoration options currently encompass surgical procedures like hair transplantation or non-surgical approaches involving medications.

Consequently, there’s a considerable demand among researchers for a new, preferably non-invasive treatment for hair loss. Scientists from Yokohama National University (YNU) in Japan are exploring the potential of cinnamon as this sought-after remedy.

Oxytocin’s Role in Hair Growth and the Challenge of Skin Absorption

Previously, they discovered that oxytocin, often dubbed the ‘love hormone,’ stimulates hair growth by enhancing the activity of genes in dermal papilla cells crucial for hair development, growth, and cycling. However, a challenge with administering oxytocin through the skin to activate this pathway lies in its relatively large molecular size, which impedes absorption.

Now, enter Chinese cinnamon, specifically its cinnamic acid component derived from Cinnamomum cassia.

Cinnamon is well-known for its broad range of health advantages, which include its anti-aging effects on the skin. Recently, it has been discovered to improve skin elasticity by impacting oxytocin receptors. Cinnamic acid, extensively utilized in cosmetics, boasts a molecular weight significantly smaller than oxytocin.

The researchers assessed how cinnamic acid affected the expression of oxytocin and genes linked to hair growth. Dermal papilla cells were cultured with varying concentrations of cinnamic acid, ranging from 0 to 2,000 µg/mL.

Effects of Different Cinnamic Acid Concentrations on Cell Viability and Oxytocin Expression

Concentrations of 1,000 and 2,000 µg/mL were found to induce cell damage, and concentrations exceeding 500 µg/mL notably inhibited cell proliferation. However, concentrations below 500 µg/mL demonstrated a discernible, dose-dependent increase in oxytocin expression and the expression of genes associated with hair growth.

Researchers developed a human hair follicle organoid, termed a ‘hair follicloid’, capable of regenerating hair shafts. Employing an organoid, essentially a scaled-down organ, enabled the researchers to expose various cells simultaneously to the cinnamic acid treatment, yielding more extensive and reliable data.

They examined concentrations of 0, 50, 100, and 500 µg/mL on the follicloids for up to 10 days.

By the eighth day, researchers observed significant increases in hair sprouting length at concentrations of 100 and 500 µg/mL, indicating that the optimal concentration likely lies within that range.

Compared to oxytocin’s hair growth effects, which produced a 1.3-fold increase, cinnamic acid generated a comparable 1.25-fold increase.

Potential of Cinnamic Acid for Enhancing Hair Growth Products

Tatsuto Kageyama, associate professor at YNU’s Faculty of Engineering and the study’s lead author, remarked, “The identification of cinnamic acid as a specific component with hair growth-promoting properties holds great promise for enhancing the effectiveness of hair growth products.”

He added, “Additionally, the newfound understanding of the mechanism underlying hair growth-promoting effects mediated by oxytocin signaling will offer fresh insights into hair care science and aid in expediting the search for new drugs targeting oxytocin receptor expression in drug discovery.“

However, it’s premature to stock up on Chinese cinnamon in bulk at this stage. Further research will involve experiments on mice with hair loss to determine the effectiveness of administering cinnamic acid through the skin, the necessary dosage, and any potential side effects.

Individuals interested in conducting personal tests at home can also find cinnamic acid in citrus fruits, grapes, cocoa, spinach, celery, and various brassica vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, and turnips.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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