A new study led by Professor Tae-Gyu Lim from Sejong University in South Korea has found that a natural ingredient found only in Korean ginseng may help promote hair growth and reduce hair loss.
The study focused on a compound called ginsenoside Rf, which is one of the many active ingredients in Korean ginseng. This research gives hope to people struggling with a common type of hair loss known as androgenetic alopecia.
Androgenetic alopecia, often called male or female pattern baldness, is a type of long-term hair loss that is mostly caused by the effects of androgens—hormones that affect hair growth. Many current treatments can cause unwanted side effects, especially with long-term use, which makes the search for natural, safer options very important.
In this study, researchers gave ginsenoside Rf to mice that had a type of hair loss similar to androgenetic alopecia in humans. The mice were treated with this compound through oral doses. The results were impressive. The mice showed better hair growth even when their bodies were under the influence of androgens, which usually stop or slow down hair growth.
The scientists noticed that the mice who received ginsenoside Rf had more hair follicles, larger follicle sizes, and thicker hair shafts compared to untreated mice. This means the hair was not only growing again, but it was also stronger and healthier. These changes were confirmed by careful lab testing and tissue analysis.
But the researchers didn’t stop there. They also discovered how this compound works at the molecular level. Ginsenoside Rf was found to reduce the amount of androgen receptor (AR) protein in the body. This protein normally helps carry out the hair-harming effects of androgens.
By promoting the breakdown of AR protein through a natural process in cells called ubiquitin-mediated degradation, ginsenoside Rf weakened the signal that leads to hair loss. This is the first time that this specific action has been found for any ginseng compound.
The results of this study were published in the respected scientific journal Industrial Crops and Products, which is one of the top-ranked journals in its field. This shows that the study not only met high scientific standards but also drew international attention.
Professor Lim explained the importance of the study, saying that it is the first to clearly show how ginsenoside Rf, a compound found only in Korean ginseng, can benefit hair health.
He noted that the research team went beyond simply observing hair growth—they also explained the detailed biological process behind it. This raises the value of Korean ginseng as a natural treatment option.
He added that these findings could be the starting point for developing new natural products to prevent hair loss. These products might be safer and more effective than current treatments, especially for people who want to avoid chemicals or harsh medications.
In summary, this study provides strong evidence that a natural compound from Korean ginseng may help promote hair growth and fight hair loss by targeting the biological pathways involved in androgenetic alopecia. The research offers a promising new direction for the development of functional hair care products based on traditional herbal medicine.
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The study is published in Industrial Crops and Products.
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