Abstract: Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of hair growth stimulated by some Chinese herbs. Methods Expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in normal hair cycles and in hair follicles cultured with some Chinese herbs. Results Expression of HGF and VEGF mRNA varied in normal mouse vibrissa follicles during hair growth cycles. HGF and VEGF mRNA were detectable in anagen follicles, but not in catagen/telogen follicles. The expression of HGF and VEGF mRNA decreased gradually in the follicles from very early anagen to late anagen. At the sixth day the expression of HGF and VEGF mRNA was still detectable for the group in which the follicles were cultured with Ligustrum lucidum(A), but not for control group. At the sixth day HGF mRNA expressed only when the follicles cultured with olianolic acid, an active ingredient of Ligustrum lucidum. Conclusion The results demonstrate that there is varying expression of HGF and VEGF mRNA in the hair growth cycles of mouse vibrissa follicles. Ligustrum lucidum (A) is shown to up regulate the expression of HGF and VEGF in mouse vibrissa follicles culture model.

Key words: Hair follicles, Hepatocyte growth factor, Endothelial growth factor, Fructus ligustri lucidi