Induction of Hair Keratins Expression by an Annurca Apple-Based Nutraceutical Formulation in Human Follicular Cells

Publication Date:
2019-12-13

Institutions involved:

University of Naples “Federico II”, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, Naples, Italy

Participants:
In vitro (lab study) on human hair follicle cells

Dosage:
Concentrations tested: 0.5 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL

Key Takeaways:

The procyanidin-rich apple extract stimulated follicle cells to triple their production of hair keratins, the structural proteins essential to healthy hair formation.

Hair keratins constitute up to 95% of the hair structure, and thus has measurable effects on strength, texture, and growth of hair.

From the authors: “None of the current available remedies for hair loss has hitherto shown to stimulate the production of hair keratins so clearly.”

Apple Poly Summary:

Why Is This Study Important? Many existing hair treatments focus on blocking DHT or stimulating follicles with synthetic agents. Apple procyanidins offer a new therapeutic angle—enhancing keratin content directly, which may benefit not just hair loss patients, but also those with brittle or thinning hair from aging or stress. This study provides compelling evidence that a natural apple-derived supplement can stimulate the production of hair keratins—proteins essential for hair strength and growth.

You Should Know: Annurca is a type, or cultivar (like Gala or Red Delicious) of apple, native to Italy. It's naturally rich in procyanidin B2, the compound most studied in hair loss and regrowth. Apple Poly® has significantly higher concentrations of procyanidin B2 than any apple cultivar- including Annurca.

In Plain English: Scientists tested an apple-based supplement on human hair cells in the lab. They found it helped those cells make more keratin, the protein that builds strong, healthy hair. This is a key mechanism to support hair growth.

For Medical Professionals: AMS, a polyphenol-rich nutraceutical derived from Malus pumila Miller cv. Annurca, significantly upregulated trichokeratin expression in HHFK and dermal papilla cells in vitro. The effect was dose- and time-dependent, with notable increases at 0.5–1 mg/mL concentrations, suggesting potential for therapeutic application in trichogenic modulation.

Abstract:

Hair disorders may considerably impact the social and psychological well-being of an individual. Recent advances in the understanding the biology of hair have encouraged the research and development of novel and safer natural hair growth agents. In this context, we have previously demonstrated—at both preclinical and clinical level—that an Annurca apple-based dietary supplement (AMS), acting as a nutraceutical, is endowed with an intense hair-inductive activity (trichogenicity), at once increasing hair tropism and keratin content. Herein, in the framework of preclinical investigations, new experiments in primary human models of follicular keratinocytes and dermal papilla cells have been performed to give an insight around AMS biological effects on specific hair keratins expression. As well as confirming the biocompatibility and the antioxidant proprieties of our nutraceutical formulation, we have proven an engagement of trichokeratins production underlying its biological effects on human follicular cells. Annurca apples are particularly rich in oligomeric procyanidins, natural polyphenols belonging to the broader class of bioflavonoids believed to exert many beneficial health effects. To our knowledge, none of the current available remedies for hair loss has hitherto shown to stimulate the production of hair keratins so clearly.

Piccolo, Marialuisa, et al. “Induction of Hair Keratins Expression by an Annurca Apple-Based Nutraceutical Formulation in Human Follicular Cells.” Nutrients, vol. 11, no. 12, 2019, p. 3041. MDPI, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11123041.