This reconstituted model of mouse hair follicle growth accurately simulates the induction, organogenesis and cell differentiation stages of hair follicle morphogenesis ( 10, 11). In the present study, a novel model was devised by dissecting the dermis and epidermis of neonatal mice, obtaining single cells from each and then grafting the mixture of cells onto the dorsa of immunodeficient mice in specified proportions ( 9). Baicalin has been reported to activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and increase the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in dermal papillar cells (DPCs), which facilitates their differentiation ( 6, 8). Another study by a Chinese research group demonstrated that baicalin promotes the growth of cultured human scalp hair follicles in vitro, likely by inducing the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from dermal papilla cells ( 7). A study by Shin et al ( 6) revealed that topical use of baicalin promoted anagen induction in C57BL/6 mice by increasing the activity of dermal papilla cells. It has also been reported that Baicalin exerts potent biological activities, including antiviral ( 4) and antitumor effects ( 5). Baicalin is an active ingredient that is found in several species in the genus Scutellaria, including Scutellaria baicalensis ( 3). Traditional Chinese herbal medicines, including Scutellaria baicalensis have been used as treatments for hair loss and may be advantageous as they are safe, have minimal toxicity and fewer side effects, and are economical. Alopecia, or spot baldness, is a common and incurable disease that can appear early in life, for which there are limited treatment options ( 2). Hair is one of the unique characteristics of mammals and is a marker of individual health as it serves multiple physiological functions, including protecting the body from environmental insults and providing thermal regulation ( 1). Further studies of baicalin using human hair follicle transplants are warranted in preparation for future clinical use. Given its non-toxicity and ease of topical application, baicalin represents a promising treatment for alopecia and other forms of hair loss. In addition, baicalin was observed to increase the alkaline phosphatase levels in dermal papillar cells, a process which was dependent on Wnt pathway activation. The results indicate that baicalin stimulates the expression of Wnt3a, Wnt5a, frizzled 7 and disheveled 2 whilst inhibiting the Axin/casein kinase 1α/adenomatous polyposis coli/glycogen synthase kinase 3β degradation complex, leading to accumulation of β-catenin and activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In the present study, the mechanism of baicalin was investigated via the topical application of baicalin to reconstituted hair follicles on mice dorsa and evaluating the effect on canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the hair follicles and the activity of dermal papillar cells. Baicalin is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine commonly used for hair loss, the precise molecular mechanism of which is unknown.
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