An Exploratory In Vivo Study on the Effect of Annurca Apple Extract on Hair Growth in Mice

Publication Date:
2022-12-09

Institutions involved:

Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
Scar Laser and Plastic Surgery Center, Yonsei Cancer Hospital
Global Medical Research Center, Seoul
COSMAX NBT, INC., Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Participants:
In vivo study, six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice

Duration:
21 days

Dosage:
0.4 mL of Annurca apple extract (AAE) administered orally once daily.

Key Takeaways:

This procyanidin-rich apple extract turns on genes that help grow new blood vessels and boost hair growth — like flipping switches for thicker, healthier hair.

Apple extract works in multiple ways— it improves blood flow, blocks bad hormones (DHT), and strengthens hair cells all at once for a powerful growth effect.

“Recent studies show that Annurca apple extract (AAE), enriched in procyanidin B2 and nutraceuticals, promotes hair growth and induces keratin production."

Apple Poly Summary:

Why Is This Study Important? Studies in mice, like this one, are vital because they let us witness, in real time, how a natural compound like Annurca apple extract can flip genetic switches tied to hair growth. This study is decoding how polyphenols activate growth factors, suppress hormone pathways, and boost structural proteins at the follicular level. The study reveals a multi-mechanism cascade: angiogenesis, anti-androgenic signaling, and keratinocyte activation all working in concert.

In Plain English: Scientists gave mice a special apple extract every day for three weeks. The mice grew thicker, longer hair, and their skin showed signs of stronger hair-building proteins. The apple extract also helped block a hormone linked to hair loss.

For Medical Professionals: Oral administration of Annurca apple extract (AAE) in C57BL/6 mice over 21 days resulted in significant upregulation of VEGFA and FGF-7 mRNA expression, suppression of type 1 5α-reductase, and increased cytokeratin 5/10 protein levels in skin tissue. These findings suggest AAE modulates both angiogenic and androgenic pathways relevant to follicular activation and hair regeneration.

Abstract:

Hair loss is an important problem affecting the quality of life in modern society. Recent studies show that Annurca apple extract (AAE), enriched in procyanidin B2 and nutraceuticals, promotes hair growth and induces keratin production. In this study, we investigated the effects of AAE by orally administering AAE in six-week-old C57BL/6 mice once a day for 21 d. We observed improvement in hair length, thickness, weight, and density. The gene expression of two growth factors related to hair growth, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF-7), were measured using the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The gene expression of both VEGFA and FGF-7 increased significantly in the AAE-treated group. Additionally, treatment with AAE suppressed the gene expression of type 1 5α-reductase. Histological analysis showed that protein levels of cytokeratin 5 and 10 were increased in the skin tissues of the AAE-treated group. These results suggest that AAE might be a potential therapeutic natural product that prevents hair loss by promoting the expression of hair growth-related factors.

Lee, Young In, et al. “An Exploratory In Vivo Study on the Effect of Annurca Apple Extract on Hair Growth in Mice.” Current Issues in Molecular Biology, vol. 44, no. 12, 2022, pp. 6280–6289. MDPI, https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb44120428..