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. 2020 Jul-Aug;12(4):168-175.
doi: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_124_19. Epub 2020 Sep 19.

Improvement of Cell Proliferation and Antioxidant Activity of Silymarin in Hair Follicles Dermal Papillae Isolated from the Human Scalp: Comparison with Vitamin C Effects

Hamid Reza Ahmadi Ashtiani  1   2 , Asma Dadgar  1   2 , Melika Akaberi  1   2
Affiliations

Improvement of Cell Proliferation and Antioxidant Activity of Silymarin in Hair Follicles Dermal Papillae Isolated from the Human Scalp: Comparison with Vitamin C Effects

Hamid Reza Ahmadi Ashtiani et al. Int J Trichology. 2020 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Introduction: Nowadays, hair loss is becoming a major problem for a large number of people. The main factors affecting hair growth include racial, gender, genetics, and hormonal. Furthermore, environment, physiology, and nutrition are the tools that are affecting hair growth.

Materials and methods: This article analyses the effects of silymarin and Vitamin C on the proliferation of dermal papilla cells (DPCs), COX2, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The DPCs of the hair follicle treated by 50 and 100 μM of silymarin and 100 μM of Vitamin C on days 2, 7, and 14.

Results: A comparatively effect of silymarin and Vitamin C demonstrated that Vitamin C is more effective in the stimulation of dermal papillae in cell culture. Furthermore, the stimulation effects of silymarin are attributed to its antioxidant activity of the cells.

Conclusion: The overall result shows that cell proliferation and TAC significantly increased. However, iNOS, ROS, and COX2 levels were decreased.

Keywords: Antioxidant; Vitamin C; dermal papilla; silymarin.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The effects of silymarin and Vitamin C on cell proliferation (Brdu assay).P= 0.016 compared to control group. Data are mean ± standard error of the mean of three samples arranged in duplicate. Details about treatment are as described in the method section
Figure 2
Figure 2
The effects of Silymarin and Vitamin C on COX2 of cells.P= 0.015 compared to control group. Data are mean ± standard error of the mean of three samples arranged in duplicate. Details about treatment are as described in the method section. Silymarin was dissolved in H2O control group was treated with H2O also
Figure 3
Figure 3
Comparison of silymarin and Vitamin C effects on inducible nitric oxide synthase levels.P= 0.016 compared to control group. Inducible nitric oxide synthase is not time-dependent factor and normally decreased without any treatment. Data are mean ± standard error of the mean of 3 samples arranged in duplicate. Details about treatment are as described in the method section
Figure 4
Figure 4
Comparison of silymarin and Vitamin C effects on total anti-oxidant capacity in dermal papilla cells.P= 0.016 compared to control group. Data are mean ± standard error of the mean of 3 samples arranged in duplicate. Details about treatment are as described in the method section. Silymarin was dissolved in H2O control group was treated with H2O also
Figure 5
Figure 5
Comparison of silymarin and Vitamin C effects on reactive oxygen species levels of dermal papilla cells.P= 0.016 compared to control group. Data are mean ± standard error of the mean of 3 samples arranged in duplicate. Details about treatment are as described in the method section. Silymarin was dissolved in H2O control group was treated with H2O also
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