Abstract: Objective To investigate the in vitro effects of baicalin on the growth of human hair follicles and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)by human dermal papilla cells (DPCs).Methods Human hair follicles at the anagen stage of hair cycle were obtained during operation from the occipitalia,cultured with baicalin of different concentrations(3.75,7.5,15,30,45,60μg/mL). Then,hair shaft elongation and morphological changes in hair bulbs were observed and documented after 1, 2,4,6 and 8 days of culture.DPCs were isolated from the human hair follicles,incubated with different concentrations(1,3.75,7.5,15,30,45,60,80,100,150μg/mL)ofbaicalin for 72 h.The rate of cell proliferation was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)method.ELISA was used to detect the level of VEGF secreted by DPCs.Results Compared with the negative control,baicalin(7.5,15,30,45μg/mL) significantly promoted the hair shaft elongation of cultured human hair follicles(all P<0.05).Baicalin at concentrations of 3.75,7.5,15 and 30μg/mL had no significant effect on the proliferation of DPCs,but significantly elevated the secretion of VEGF by DPCs(all P<0.05).Conclusion Baicalin can promote the growth of cultured human hair follicles,likely by stimulating the secretion of VEGF by DPCs.

Key words: Hair follicle, Vascular endothelial growth factors, Baicalin, Dermal papilla cells