Pinus thunbergii bark extract rich in flavonoids promotes hair growth in dorsal skin by regulating inflammatory cytokines and increasing growth factors in mice.

Korean maritime pine bark (Pinus thunbergii) has been used as an alternative medicine due to its beneficial properties, including anti­inflammatory effects. To date, the anti­inflammatory and hair growth­promoting effects of Pinus densiflora bark extract have remained elusive. Therefore, in the present study, Pinus thunbergii bark was extracted with pure water (100˚C) and the extract was examined to determine its polyphenol and flavonoid content. C57BL/6 mice were used to assess the effects of the extract to promote hair growth. The extract (1, 2 and 4%) was topically applied onto shaved dorsal skin and hair growth was observed for 17 days. A significant increase in hair growth was observed with 2 and 4% extract. Based on this finding, the optimal dose of the extract for effective hair growth promotion was determined to be 2%. The mechanisms of hair growth promotion were investigated via immunohistochemical analysis of changes in inflammatory cytokines and growth factors in the hair follicles following treatment with 2% extract. The treatment reduced the levels of TNF­α and IL­1ß, which are pro­inflammatory cytokines, while it enhanced the levels of IL­4 and IL­13, which are anti­inflammatory cytokines, in the hair follicles. In addition, elevated insulin­like growth factor I and vascular epidermal growth factor were detected in hair follicles following treatment. Based on these findings, it was suggested that the extract of Pinus thunbergii bark may be utilized for hair loss prevention and/or hair growth promotion.

Simultaneous determination of bioactive marker compounds from Gardeniae fructus by high performance liquid chromatography.

Gardeniae fructus is one of the medicinal herbs that have been used in Far Eastern countries, such as Korea, China, and Japan. Gardeniae fructus is the dried ripe fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (Rubiaceae) and has been used as a yellow dye. It is widely used as traditional herbal medicine for reducing fever, cholagogue, diuretic and antiphlogistic effects. We established an analytical method that was useful to evaluate the quality control, and standardize quantification monitoring of 68 samples of Gardeniae fructus collected from Korea and China. While numerous previous studies have focused on the simultaneous analysis of geniposide, which constitutes the higher proportion of Gardeniae fructus, and crocin, which determines its color, no simultaneous analysis of gardenoside and geniposide, the major components of Gardeniae Fructus, has been performed. However, previously reported methods are not considered accurate enough because only geniposide or gardenoside was chosen to be the marker component for the quality control of Gardeniae fructus. Thus, we developed the method using simultaneous determination of four components including geniposide, gardenoside, geniposic acid and chlorogenic acid. Against this backdrop, this study aims to propose a new calculation for gardenoside and geniposide concentrations by analyzing their concentrations in Gardeniae fructus.