A study published in ACS Omega evaluated the efficacy and mechanism of Shen Bai Hair Growth Decoction (SBHGD), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The researchers concluded that SBHGD promotes hair regrowth and reduces local inflammation in a mouse model of AGA, primarily by downregulating key inflammatory cytokines and improving hair follicle density and morphology [1].
The study focused on the effects of topical SBHGD application in C57BL/6 mice. Mice were shaved and treated with SBHGD once daily for three weeks. Control animals received no treatment or vehicle alone. Skin samples were collected at the end of the treatment period for histological examination and cytokine analysis. The SBHGD formula consisted of the following traditional Chinese medicinal herbs:
- Radix Polygoni Multiflori Preparata (He Shou Wu)
- Radix Ginseng (Ren Shen)
- Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui)
- Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (Nu Zhen Zi)
- Herba Ecliptae (Mo Han Lian)
These herbs were decocted and concentrated into a topical preparation. The decoction was applied externally to the shaved dorsal skin of mice once per day, delivering herbal constituents directly to the affected area without systemic exposure [1].
Mice treated with SBHGD exhibited significantly enhanced hair regrowth compared to untreated controls, as assessed by macroscopic visual scoring and blinded histological analysis. After 21 days of treatment, the SBHGD group showed a greater percentage of skin area covered with new hair growth (P < 0.01). Histological sections revealed increased numbers of hair follicles in anagen phase and improved follicle structure [1].
Furthermore, scalp tissue from the SBHGD group exhibited significantly reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The reduction of these cytokines suggests that SBHGD exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin environment, potentially mitigating follicular miniaturization and disruption commonly seen in AGA [1].
The authors proposed that the primary mechanism of SBHGD’s effect involves downregulation of IL-6 and TNF-α signaling, both of which are known to impair hair follicle cycling. These cytokines are typically elevated in AGA and contribute to perifollicular inflammation and stem cell dysfunction. By suppressing these inflammatory mediators, SBHGD may allow dormant follicles to re-enter the anagen (growth) phase and avoid further degeneration [1].
Additionally, compounds in He Shou Wu and Dang Gui have been shown in previous pharmacological studies to promote blood circulation and support hair follicle viability through antioxidant and angiogenic pathways. While those mechanisms were not directly studied in this trial, they may contribute to the overall effect of the formula [1].
The findings provide mechanistic support for the use of SBHGD in clinical settings. The topical route of administration aligns with traditional Chinese dermatological practice, and the use of well-documented herbs with known pharmacologic profiles enhances the feasibility of translational application. The absence of systemic side effects in the animal model further supports the safety of topical SBHGD [1].
For practitioners of Chinese medicine, this study reinforces the role of blood-nourishing and anti-inflammatory herbs in treating hair loss conditions. While standard treatments for AGA such as minoxidil and finasteride target hormonal pathways, SBHGD offers a botanical approach centered on inflammation resolution and follicular stimulation.
Clinical trials will be necessary to determine appropriate dosage, formulation stability, patient tolerability, and efficacy in human populations. Nonetheless, this study offers a compelling foundation for future exploration of SBHGD as a topical botanical treatment for androgenetic alopecia.
Shen Bai Hair Growth Decoction significantly promotes hair regrowth and reduces local inflammation in a mouse model of androgenetic alopecia. The findings support its potential as a non-hormonal, herbal-based topical therapy that acts by modulating inflammatory cytokines and enhancing follicular proliferation. Further human studies are warranted to validate its clinical utility.
Source
[1] Gu, Lijuan, et al. “Study on the Efficacy and Potential Mechanism of Topical Shen Bai Hair Growth Decoction on Androgenetic Alopecia.” ACS Omega 9, no. 3 (2024): 3570–3579.
