6-Gingerol inhibits hair cycle via induction of MMP2 and MMP9 expression

An Acad Bras Cienc. 2017 Oct-Dec;89(4):2707-2717. doi: 10.1590/0001-3765201720170354.

Abstract

6-Gingerol is the major active constituent of ginger. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects of 6-Gingerol on hair growth. Mice were randomly divided into five groups; after hair depilation (day 0), mice were treated with saline, or different concentrations of 6-Gingerol for 11 days. The histomorphological characteristics of the growing hair follicles were examined after hematoxylin and eosin staining. The results indicated that 6-Gingerol significantly suppressed hair growth compared with that in the control group. And choose the concentration of 6-Gingerol at 1 mg/mL to treated with mice. Moreover, 6-Gingerol (1 mg/mL) significantly reduced hair re-growth ratio, hair follicle number, and hair follicle length, which were associated with increased expression of MMP2 and MMP9. Furthermore, the growth factors, such as EGF, KGF, VEGF, IGF-1 and TGF-β participate in the hair follicle cycle regulation and regulate hair growth. We then measured the concentrations of them using ELISA assays, and the results showed that 6-Gingerol decreased EGF, KGF, VEGF, and IGF-1 concentrations, and increased TGF-β concentration. Thus, this study showed that 6-Gingerol might act as a hair growth suppressive drug via induction of MMP2 and MMP9 expression, which could interfere with the hair cycle.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Catechols / pharmacology*
  • Enzyme Induction
  • Fatty Alcohols / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 7 / biosynthesis
  • Hair Follicle / drug effects*
  • Hair Follicle / pathology
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / biosynthesis
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / biosynthesis*
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / biosynthesis*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Random Allocation
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / biosynthesis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Catechols
  • Fatty Alcohols
  • Fgf7 protein, mouse
  • Plant Extracts
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • insulin-like growth factor-1, mouse
  • vascular endothelial growth factor A, mouse
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 7
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • gingerol
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Mmp2 protein, mouse
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
  • Mmp9 protein, mouse