Justicia procumbens promotes hair growth and ameliorates age-related deterioration of hair health.

BACKGROUND

Hair serves both physiological functions such as thermoregulation and protection, and psychosocial roles related to self-esteem. Age-related hair loss is a complex, multifactorial process involving follicular miniaturization, inflammation, stem cell exhaustion, and vascular deterioration. Although Justicia procumbens has been shown to prevent androgenic alopecia through modulation of β-catenin signaling, its broader potential in promoting general hair growth and preventing age-related hair degeneration remains to be fully elucidated.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of Justicia procumbens aqueous extract (JPAE) cultivated under plant factory (PF) and smart farm (SF) systems on hair growth and aging-induced hair damage in mice.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHOD: The proliferative effect of JPAE was evaluated in vitro using human hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPCs) through MTT assay and gene expression analysis. In vivo efficacy was assessed using two mouse models: thioglycolic acid-induced depilation and natural aging. A comprehensive set of analyses was conducted, including histological analyses, western blotting, qPCR, ELISA, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and LC-MS/MS-based phytochemical profiling.

RESULTS

JPAE promoted HFDPC proliferation and enhanced hair regrowth in depilation-induced mice by upregulating β-catenin and downstream hair growth-associated genes, showing consistent efficacy regardless of cultivation method (PF or SF). In aged mice, JPAE treatment alleviated aging-induced epidermal thinning, hair follicle miniaturization, and cuticle damage. Additionally, JPAE normalized the Ang-1, Ang-2, Vcam1, Icam1 expression, suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6, and improved vascular health by reducing aortic wall thickening and restoring nitric oxide (NO) levels.

CONCLUSION

JPAE promotes hair regeneration in chemically depilated models and mitigates age-related hair and vascular deterioration. These findings suggest that JPAE may have potential benefits in maintaining hair health during aging, although further studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in humans.