Bee Propolis Could Help Promote Hair Regrowth

added 2nd January 2015

A new study by scientists at Hokkaido University in Japan reveals how propolis, a resin-like product found in honeybee hives, helped to regrow hair in mice during trials.

Honey Bee Propolis May Help To Regrow Hair Propolis is known to trigger the generation of keratinocytes, which are cells needed for hair shaft and follicle production, but, although it has been used as a healing treatment for the likes of burns and skin conditions, it has never before been used to treat hair loss.

The study was led by Dr. Ken Kobayashi, who explains “…recent studies pointed out that propolis has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour and proliferative properties… Interestingly, normal hair growth needs active proliferation of hair epithelial cells without excessive inflammation. Therefore, we came up with the idea.”

Dr. Kobayashi’s team applied Brazilian propolis directly to the skin of shaven test mice then compared their regrowth results to those of shaven control mice who regrew their fur without the aid of the topical propolis application.

Researchers noted how the propolis stimulated the proliferation of keratinocytes and migration into the hair shaft, as the group of treated mice regrew their fur much faster than the control group.

Although the results of this study were based on the responses of shaven mice, researchers remain confident in propolis’ ability to regrow hair lost to conditions caused by inflammation, such as alopecia areata. Dr. Kobayashi believes propolis could “ improve hair loss due to inflammation through the anti-inflammatory properties and the keratinocyte-proliferative effect”.

Whilst propolis is unlikely to provide a cure for hereditary hair loss conditions such as male pattern baldness, one of the aims of the on-going clinical trials is to assess whether propolis could be used alongside minoxidil to boost its efficacy. Dr. Kobayashi advises, “Propolis is a natural ingredient without any side effects. A combination of propolis and minoxidil may be [very] effective.

Furthering this study, which was published in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers continue to investigate propolis’ effect on human hair follicles in vitro, with more clinical trials planned based on their results.

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