Alopecia is a common and frequently occurring skin disease with abnormal excessive hair loss and sparse hair as the main clinical manifestations, androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata are more common. . Modern medicine believes that many pathogenic factors such as heredity, autoimmunity, psychosis, endocrine, cytokines and trace elements can miniaturize hair follicles through abnormal regulation of hair growth cycle, thus inducing hair loss [4].
Traditional Chinese medicine calls hair loss as "ghost shaving", "oil head wind", "hair decay and ringworm" and so on [5], and believes that blood stasis, damp heat, heat pathogen, exogenous pathogens and other pathogens cause the deficiency of viscera, resulting in the deficiency of essence and blood, the inclusion of deficiency and excess, the deficiency and excess, the lingering and difficult to heal, and eventually lead to hair loss and loss [6].The disease is characterized by the deficiency of essence and blood, the inclusion of deficiency and excess, the original deficiency and the actual situation, and the lingering and difficult to. According to the different etiologies and pathogenesis, the classification standards of "liver and kidney theory, blood theory, phlegm and dampness theory" were established, and the combination of deficiency and excess, internal treatment and external treatment was emphasized, which showed the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of alopecia based on disease differentiation and syndrome differentiation. The pathophysiological changes of hair loss can be reflected in a certain focus of the body, and the disease location is related to kidney, liver, spleen, heart and lung. The treatment of hair loss in traditional Chinese medicine is mainly related to tonifying the liver and kidney and "blood". The "blood" includes activating blood, nourishing blood, cooling blood, and tonifying blood. The corresponding treatment methods are removing blood stasis, tonifying Qi, dispelling wind, and strengthening spleen.
The microscopic manifestations of hair loss caused by liver and kidney deficiency, liver depression and blood stasis, damp heat accumulation, blood heat and wind dryness and other etiologies are the destruction of the living environment of hair follicle cells, the dysfunction of hair follicle cells, the reactive metabolites of cells or the dead cells themselves will become "positive deficiency" or "stasis", etc., while traditional Chinese medicine can regulate the microscopic molecular level by affecting the expression of inflammatory mediators, inhibiting apoptosis, regulating the expression of genes, regulating immune function, etc., to control the occurrence and development of hair loss lesions, achieve the state of internal coordination and yin-yang balance, so as to reduce hair follicle damage, and finally realize the prevention of hair loss and hair growth, which involves nuclear factor - κ B (NF - κ b, nf- κ b), adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase, wnt/ β - Catenin and other signaling pathways and their key target signaling factors. According to the statistics of the prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of alopecia in the past 20 years, it is found that tonifying deficiency drugs, heat clearing drugs, and blood activating and stasis removing drugs are the key fields of traditional Chinese medicine for the prevention of alopecia, accounting for about 70% (Fig. 1). Therefore, this article reviews the anti hair loss mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients, which are derived from tonifying deficiency, clearing heat, activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis, in order to provide a theoretical reference for the treatment of hair loss.
1 deficiency category
The imbalance of yin and Yang, deficiency of Qi and blood, and deficiency of healthy qi can lead to hair root instability, hair loss and withering and falling off. Based on the "tonic" mechanism, modern research shows that tonic deficiency traditional Chinese medicine can play the role of strengthening and tonifying deficiency, strengthening hair root, and replenishing hair through anti androgen like effect, regulating energy metabolism, reducing inflammatory reaction, inhibiting hair follicle apoptosis, etc.
1.1 single traditional Chinese Medicine
1.1.1 Polygonum multiflorum Thunb
It belongs to the Polygonaceae and belongs to the liver, heart and kidney meridians. The research shows that there are as many as 56 ancient prescriptions about the compatibility of Polygonum multiflorum in the dictionary of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions for the treatment of "early white hair, alopecia and baldness". Compendium of Materia Medica records that Polygonum multiflorum "nourishes blood and liver, strengthens lean kidney, strengthens bones and muscles, and darkens temples and hair, and is a good tonic medicine". It can be seen that Polygonum multiflorum has the potential to nourish blood and hair, nourish hair [7]. Li et al [8] found that Polygonum multiflorum Thunb and prepared Polygonum multiflorum Thunb promoted hair growth by stimulating the expression of fibroblast growth factor-7 (FGF-7) and sonic hedgehog signaling pathway (Shh), respectively. Polygonum multiflorum Thunb is suitable for oral administration, while prepared Polygonum multiflorum Thunb is more suitable for external administration.
Shin et al [9] found that the extract of Polygonum multiflorum could up regulate the anti apoptotic gene b-lymphoma-2 in human dermal papilla cells (HDPCs)（Bcl-2）, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 gene（IGFBP2）, platelet derived factor（PDGF）And vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF）The expression of Bcl-2 / BCL XL related apoptotic protein (bad) and dickkopf1 (DKK-1) were down regulated, and androgen receptor production was reduced, thereby enhancing mitochondrial enzyme activity, playing an anti apoptotic role, and delaying hair follicle degeneration. In addition, the realization of hair regeneration by Polygonum multiflorum is also related to β -catenin[10] and inhibition of 5 α - reductase [11].
1.1.2 Angelica sinensis
It belongs to Umbelliferae and belongs to liver, heart and spleen meridians. Continuous Ig of Angelica Decoction at 2.6 g/kg for 7 d in Kunming mouse model of alopecia areata caused by sodium sulfide can significantly increase the expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in serum, thus reducing the vacuolization of hair follicle cells and increasing the number of hair follicles per unit field [12]. Studies have found that Angelica sinensis can inhibit hair follicle apoptosis and degeneration by reducing the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) in serum [13]. Gao Heyi et al [14] found that 0.5 g/ml angelica extract could significantly inhibit type II 5 α - reductase activity, with an inhibition rate of 40.84%; The scalp care essence prepared from angelica extract was used in 34 patients with seborrheic alopecia for 7 weeks. It was found that 80% of the volunteers' alopecia symptoms were improved.
Another study showed that angelica extract increased bcl-2/bcl-2-related X protein (Bax) value and reduced apoptosis by inhibiting the secretion of Caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor - α (tnf- α) and the activation of nf- κ B, c-jun, nf- κ B inhibitor - α (I κ b- α) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) [15]. Angelica sinensis can also reduce the inflammatory response of hair follicles and alleviate hair follicle injury by down regulating the expression of tnf- α and IL-1 β, up regulating the expression of IL-4 and IL-13, balancing the release of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines [16].
1.1.3 ginseng
It belongs to the Araliaceae family, and it returns to the spleen, lung, heart and kidney meridians. . Park et al [18] found that ginseng extract promoted the proliferation of HDPCs and alleviated the damage of dermal papilla cells in a time and dose-dependent manner, and the mechanism was related to the up regulation of Bcl-2 and down-regulation of Bax expression. In addition, ginseng extract can also inhibit dkk-1-induced hair follicle degeneration by regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax, thereby stimulating the proliferation of outer root sheath keratinocytes and reducing hair loss [19].
1.1.4 red ginseng
It is steamed from the cultivated Panax ginseng of Acanthopanax family, and it returns to the spleen, lung, heart and kidney meridians. Studies have found that red ginseng can increase the activity of p-ERK and p-Akt, inhibit androgen receptor and exert anti androgen effect by activating extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (pkb/akt) pathways [20]. After 21 days of Ig red ginseng extract (50 mg/kg) in c57bl/6 mice, the results showed that red ginseng extract promoted the release of growth factors [VEGF, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ - glutamyl transpeptidase], increased the expression of β -catenin, glycogen synthase kinase 3 β phosphorylation (p-gsk3 β), p-ERK, p-Akt, cyclin D1, cyclin E and Bcl-2, inhibited the expression of Bax, and reduced apoptosis by stimulating Wnt / β - catenin signaling pathway; At the same time, it increases the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH PX) and superoxide dismutase-2 (Sod-2), to reduce the production and accumulation of peroxides, thereby improving the redox state and enhancing the antioxidant capacity of skin [21].
In addition, studies have found that red ginseng oil can activate wnt/ β -catenin and shh/gli-1signaling pathway, inhibit the expression of transforming growth factor - β (tgf- β), increase the expression of lymphoid enhancer binding factor-1 (LEF-1), Shh, SMO and Gli-1, and induce the early transition of hair follicles to anagen [22-23].
1.1.5 Purple River wagon
It is a dried placenta product delivered by a healthy maternal. It tastes sweet, salty and warm, and belongs to the lung, kidney and liver channels. It was found that the extract of Placenta Hominis could inhibit p-gsk3 β, increase β -catenin expression, and enhance ALP activity by regulating β -catenin/gsk3 β signaling pathway in HDPCs. At the same time, it dose dependently upregulated Shh and multipotent proteoglycan levels, thereby promoting the proliferation of HDPCs and stimulating hair growth [24].
1.1.6 Dendrobium
It belongs to the orchid family and belongs to the stomach and kidney meridians. Applying Dendrobium huoshanense juice (0.2 g/ml) to the hair removal area on the back of mice for 14 d can increase the level of cell proliferation marker Ki-67 in mouse hair follicles, increase bcl-2 expression, inhibit tgf- β 1, stimulate the production of autophagy substrate protein p62 and microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3- β (lc3ii), reduce apoptosis, promote hair follicle activation, and protect the morphology and structure of hair follicles [25]. Another study found that Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide can promote the angiogenesis of hair follicles by increasing the expression of VEGF [26].
1.2 active ingredients from tonic deficiency traditional Chinese Medicine
1.2.1 ginsenosides
It is the active ingredient of ginseng and one of the main efficacy substances of ginseng hair care products. It has been proved to have the effect of preventing hair loss and can be used as a natural hair growth promoter. According to the aglycone architecture of saponins, it can be divided into dammarane type and oleanane type, among which dammarane type includes protopanaxadiol, ginsenoside Rb1GinsenosidesRd、GinsenosidesRh2、GinsenosidesRg3 and protopanaxatriolGinsenosidesRe、GinsenosidesRg4 et al. . Zhang et al [28] found that ginsenoside Rb1 increased p-pi3k, p-Akt and p-gsk3 β, increased VEGFA and VEGFR2 levels, inhibited tgf- β 1 expression, increased cyclin B1, cyclin D1 and cyclin A activities, and promoted hair follicle growth, proliferation and migration of dermal papilla cells by regulating the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) /akt/gsk3 β signaling pathway. Ginsenoside Rb1 can also exert antiandrogen effects through ERK and Akt pathways [20].
Ginsenoside F2 can inhibit the expression of specific protein 1, Caspase-3, caspase-12, Bax, SREBP, SCAP and tgf- β 2 by regulating sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) cleavage activating protein (SCAP) /tgf- β pathway, increasing bcl-2 expression, thereby reducing androgenic alopecia like alopecia [29]. . Topical application of 50 mg/l ginsenoside Re for 45 D can significantly inhibit the expression of smad2/3 and p-ERK to prolong the hair follicle growth period [31]. Lee et al [32] constructed an in vitro hair follicle organ culture model based on the three-dimensional culture system of human dermal papilla (DP) cells and found that ginsenoside rg4 achieved hair regeneration by activating the akt/gsk3 β / β -cateninsignaling pathway in DP spheres, and the expression of characteristic genes in DP spheres included upregulation of Wnt5a, β -catenin, LEF-1, ALP, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), versican, and activation of PI3K and Akt.
1.2.2 astragaloside IV
It is a saponin compound extracted from Astragalus membranaceus, which can be widely used in anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune regulation. Kim et al [33] found that astragaloside IV could inhibit the activity of downstream pro-caspase-9 and Caspase-3, down regulate the expression of Bax and p53, up regulate the expression of Bcl-2, BCL XL, keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), inhibit hair follicle apoptosis, inhibit nf- κ B and P-I κ b- α, and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines (p21, tnf- α, IL-1 β) and MAPK (ERK, sak pk/jnk, p38) to exert anti-inflammatory effects.
1.2.3 diammonium glycyrrhizinate
It is the ammonium salt of glycyrrhizic acid, an effective ingredient in licorice. Compared with glycyrrhizic acid, it has good water solubility, strong effect and less adverse reactions. . 0.01 μ mol/l diammonium glycyrrhizinate can increase the expression of β -catenin, p-gsk3 β and lef-l, enhance the activity of hair mother cells and prolong the growth period of hair follicles by activating wnt/ β -catenin signaling pathway [35].
1.2.4 oleanolic acid
It is derived from Ligustrum lucidum, a plant of OleaceaeLigustrum lucidum The pentacyclic triterpenoids of ait. have antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory and other pharmacological effects. Liu et al. [36] respectively treated the human hair follicle organ culture model with 0.1, 1, 10, 20 μ g/ml oleanolic acid for 10 days, and found that when the dosage of oleanolic acid was 1, 10 μ g/ml, the cell proliferation was significant; . Another study found that 1% oleanolic acid can exert antiandrogen effect by up regulating VEGF and down regulating tgf- β 1 expression, thereby increasing the number of hair follicles and dermal thickness [37]. In addition, oleanolic acid promotes hair growth, which is also related to the expression of terminal hairs / bristles [38] and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) [39].
1.2.5 praeruptorin
It belongs to pyranocoumarin compounds, which are derived from the genus Danggui of Umbelliferae. It has high content in Korean Danggui and has anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant and other biological activities. Lee et al [16] found that imperatorin reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells in hair follicles by downregulating tnf- α and IL-1 β and upregulating IL-4 and IL-13. Kim et al [40] used cyclophosphamide to induce the hair loss model of c57bl/6j mice after chemotherapy, and found that praeruptorin could increase the expression of KGF in skin tissue, inhibit the activities of Caspase-3, caspase-7, Caspase-8 in a dose-dependent manner, reduce the expression of PI3K, Akt, ERK and p38 in keratinocytes, inhibit apoptosis, and reduce hair follicle damage.
1.2.6 stilbene glycoside
It is one of the main active ingredients of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. It is also the quality control indicator ingredient of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb according to the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It has biological activities such as anti-aging, regulating blood lipids, protecting liver, etc. Zhang Yan et al [41] found that the number of hair follicles and the number of hair follicle capillaries in the skin of mice increased significantly after administration of stilbene glycoside 50, 100, 150 μ g/ml in mice; . Studies have found that stilbene glycoside can play an antioxidant protective role on reconstituted hair follicles in mice by up regulating the expression of cat in dermal cells [42]. .
2 heat clearing
Based on the "heat clearing" mechanism, modern research shows that the heat traditional Chinese medicine of Ming and Qing dynasties can play a role in clearing away fire and heat, removing heat pathogens, and nourishing hair by inhibiting hair follicle apoptosis, relieving hair follicle damage, inhibiting inflammatory reaction, regulating hair follicle cycle, etc.
2.1 single traditional Chinese Medicine
2.1.1 Houttuynia cordata
It is Houttuynia cordataHouttuynia cordata The dry aboveground part of thunb. is a pungent cold clearing and detoxifying drug, which belongs to the lung meridian. It is a commonly used Chinese medicine for both medicine and food. It mainly treats lung carbuncle and pus vomiting, phlegm heat asthma and cough, heat drenching and heat dysentery, carbuncle, swelling and sores, etc. Kim et al [44] found that Houttuynia cordata could increase the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ m) to stimulate the production of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and reduce hair follicle apoptosis by regulating the cell cycle [up regulating the activity of cell cycle dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), down regulating cyclin A2 and cyclin B1], anti-inflammatory (up regulating Bcl-2), regulating growth factors (up regulating PDGF-AA and VEGF), activating p-ERK and p-Akt at the same time, improving inflammatory damage and thus reducing hair follicle apoptosis. In addition, Houttuynia cordata can also exert anti androgen like effects by inhibiting type II 5 α - reductase activity [45].
2.1.2 lychee grass
It is also known as wrinkled scallion, snow green, overwintering holly, crested eye grass, Leymus chinensis, etc. it belongs to the lung and stomach meridian, and has the effects of clearing heat and detoxification, eliminating inflammation and benefiting the throat, cooling blood and benefiting water [46]. 15.6, 31.3 μ g/ml lychee grass treatment for 21 d can significantly increase the expression of β -catenin and p-gsk3 β in HDPCs to activate the wnt/ β -catenin signaling pathway, increase the expression of HGF and bcl-2/bax, reduce the expression of tgf- β 1 and smad2/3, activate ERK and Akt, and reduce apoptosis[47].
2.1.3 purple chrysanthemum
Its other name is Chrysanthemum morifolium, which is derived from the dried head of red flowers of Compositae plants, and has the effect of clearing away heat and detoxification. .
2.1.4 Acanthus ilicifolius
It is a mangrove plant growing in the tropical coastal zone, belonging to the Acanthaceae family. It has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, and is mainly used to treat sores, boils and swelling. 100 μ g / ml Acanthus ilicifolius 95% ethanol extract had strong inhibitory activity on 5 α - reductase, and the inhibitory rate was (38.26 ± 4.90)%; .
2.1.5 Sophora flavescens
. Studies have shown that Sophora flavescens can induce apoptosis by upregulating the expression ofIGF-1andKGFTo play a germinal role [50]. Zhouwen [51] made a statistical analysis of the compound for the treatment of hair loss through the literature and found that Sophora flavescens in the compound was used orally for 26 times and externally for 54 times, indicating that Sophora flavescens has the effect of preventing hair loss. Another study found that 1 mg/ml Sophora flavescens water extract can inhibit type II 5 α - reductase with an inhibition rate of (60.45 ± 2.90)%, indicating that Sophora flavescens can play an anti androgen role to a certain extent [52].
2.2 active ingredients from heat clearing traditional Chinese Medicine
2.2.1 baicalin
It is a flavonoid extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor and other effects. Shin et al [53] found that baicalin can activate the wnt/ β -catenin signaling pathway through the binding of low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 5/6 (lrp5/6) and Wnt, increase the expression of IGF-1 and VEGF in DP cells, enhance ALP activity, and induce the early transition of hair follicles from telogen to anagen. In BALB / c-nu nude mice model of hair follicle reconstruction on the back, it was found that baicalin could activate Wnt / β -catenin pathway by stimulating the secretion of Wnt ligand, and promote the differentiation and development of hair follicle cells. Its target suggested that the upstream molecules of axin/ck1 α /apc/gsk3 β complex in the cytosol; This study also found that baicalin can increase the expression of α - melanocyte stimulating hormone (α -msh), tgf- β 1 and IGF-1 in hair follicle tissue, and restore and maintain the immune privilege state of hair follicles [54]. In addition, baicalin can also promote hair follicle formation by promoting the proliferation of hdpc[55] and hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells [56].
2.2.2 quercitrin
It is not only the active ingredient of Houttuynia cordata, but also a natural flavonoid compound widely existing in flowers, leaves and fruits of various plants. ; At the same time, MAPK / CREB signaling pathway was activated to promote the expression of growth factors (bFGF, KGF, PDGF-AA and VEGF), up regulate BCL2 and Ki67, down regulate bad, increase p-Akt, p-ERK and p-CREB, and play an anti apoptotic role.
2.2.3 irisin
It is an isoflavone compound extracted and isolated from the rhizome of Belamcanda chinensis, an Iridaceae plant. It has the effects of protecting liver, estrogen like and inhibiting angiogenesis. （AXIN2）Of mRNA levels, increasing downstream target genesβ-catenin、LEF-1、IGF-1andALPIt enhances HDPC activity and promotes the growth of mouse whisker hair follicles.
2.2.4 stephanine
It is derived from Stephania capitata, a plant of the genus Stephania in the family stephaniaceaeStephania cephalantha An isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from hayata. has strong biological activity and is widely used in anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, etc. It was found that celastrol could increase intracellular ca2+ concentration to stimulate VEGF expression, and increase hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) -1 α, HIF-2 α, 3-phosphatidylinositol-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) andLThe expression of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) promotes the proliferation of HDPC and induces hair growth [59]. In addition, the hair regeneration achieved by stephanine is also related to the secretion of IGF [60].
3 activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis
Blood stasis and poor blood flow can make new blood difficult to grow, hair orifices stagnant, hair loss and thin, soft, dry, loose and fall off. Based on the mechanism of "activating blood circulation", modern research shows that traditional Chinese medicine for activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis can play the role of removing blood stasis, generating new hair and nourishing hair by antioxidation and improving hair follicle microcirculation.
3.1 single traditional Chinese Medicine
3.1.1 Salvia miltiorrhiza
It belongs to the Labiatae family. It is a bitter cold medicine for activating blood circulation and regulating menstruation, which can restore heart and liver meridians. In the model of testosterone induced hair loss in Kunming mice, researchers found that Salvia miltiorrhiza can reduce the content of testosterone in serum, increase the content of estradiol in serum, increase the expression of VEGF in skin tissue, and increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes (GSH PX and SOD) to reduce the production of malondialdehyde and exert antioxidant effect [61]. .
3.1.2 fragrant tree
. Kim et al [64] found that the chemical incense tree can improve the pathological changes of hair follicle reduction, empty hair follicles and hair growth cycle disorder in hair removal mice. Its mechanism of action is to increase the expression of stem cell factor (SCF), IGF-1, KGF, inhibit the expression of tgf- β 1, reduce mast cells, and increase the scavenging rate of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals to play an antioxidant role.
3.2 active ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis
3-deoxyhematoxylin chalcone is a chalcone compound isolated from the legume hematoxylin, which has anti allergic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and other biological activities. .
4 other categories
.
5 conclusion and Prospect
Hair loss is closely related to hair follicle cycle disorder, apoptosis and hormone levels. Traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients such as tonifying deficiency, clearing heat and promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis can induce hair follicle cycle transition, reduce hair follicle damage and apoptosis, and finally achieve the anti hair loss effect (Figure 2), which is similar to the "syndrome differentiation and treatment" of traditional Chinese medicine theory. It is believed that hair loss is closely related to visceral pathology and Qi and blood deficiency and decline. The treatment is to strengthen the body, clear heat and detoxify, and promote blood circulation.To a certain extent, it is feasible for traditional Chinese medicine to treat hair loss by tonifying deficiency, clearing heat, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, which also confirms the understanding of traditional Chinese medicine on the etiology and pathogenesis of hair loss. .
As one of the material bases for traditional Chinese medicine to exert its pharmacodynamic effects, the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine have a wide range of sources. For example, oleanolic acid not only comes from Ligustrum lucidum, a traditional Chinese medicine for tonifying deficiency, but also contains oleanolic acid in raspberry, a traditional Chinese medicine for astringency. The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine from tonifying deficiency, clearing heat, activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis have been clearly derived from a certain traditional Chinese medicine, and also have a clear classification of efficacy. Whether the same active ingredient of a traditional Chinese medicine from other classes has the effect of preventing hair loss needs further experimental verification.
Traditional Chinese medicine compound is one of the characteristics of clinical treatment of traditional Chinese medicine. According to the compatibility of "monarchs, ministers, assistants and envoys", multiple components play a synergistic role, which not only improves the curative effect, but also reduces adverse reactions. The effect is significant. At present, the research of anti hair loss traditional Chinese medicine is mostly single drug extract and active monomers of traditional Chinese medicine, and there are few traditional Chinese medicine compounds. In addition, the traditional Chinese medicine compound contains complex pharmacodynamic substances, many action targets, the mechanism of action is difficult to explain, the addition and subtraction of syndrome differentiation are limited by the amount of medicinal materials, and the research results of components are difficult to comprehensively reflect the contribution ratio of each component to the efficacy, which increases the difficulty of the research of traditional Chinese medicine compound. Clarifying the internal law of traditional Chinese medicine compound and its components and components compatibility, and constructing a new modern traditional Chinese Medicine compound are important task.
At present, there are still some deficiencies in the research of traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients to prevent hair loss and regrowth
(1) The research of some traditional Chinese medicines only involves individual factors or proteins, such as Sophora flavescens, huaxiangshu and other traditional Chinese medicines only see IGF-1, KGF, SCF, tgf- β 1 and other single proteins, and the research of other related functional proteins and complete signaling pathway is relatively simple, and the specific mechanism needs to be improved.
(2) There is an imbalance between clinical practice and basic research. At present, the research of hair loss treatment of traditional Chinese medicine mostly focuses on single traditional Chinese medicine extract and its active ingredients, while the research on the relevant mechanism of compound traditional Chinese medicine is less, while the clinical treatment of hair loss is mainly compound, and the single traditional Chinese medicine or single active ingredient is rarely applied, lacking the efficacy and mechanism research of basic research, while the basic research is mostly concentrated on the cell or animal hair loss model of single traditional Chinese medicine extract or active ingredient, lacking systematic clinical trials.
(3) There is a lack of effective connection between the application of traditional Chinese medicine to prevent hair loss and the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine theory. In view of this, the promotion of relevant basic experiments and clinical practice, the combination of many omics and multi-disciplinary, multi perspective entry, multi-technical assistance, and the establishment of a modern methodological system in line with the recognition of TCM syndromes are the top priorities of future research on the treatment of alopecia with traditional Chinese medicine.
At present, hair loss is commonly treated by surgery and drug treatment. Surgical treatment has the disadvantages of long time-consuming, expensive, limited access to the number of hair follicle units and so on. Finasteride and minoxidil and other drugs are limited due to long treatment cycle, limited efficacy, large adverse reactions, and easy recurrence. Therefore, finding safe and effective natural drugs has become a hot and difficult point in the research of hair loss treatment. China's traditional Chinese medicine has been applied to hair loss for a long time, and the curative effect is significant from the clinical point of view, but from the scientific point of view, the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of hair loss is still unclear. If there is no scientific explanation of its mechanism of action based on modern scientific and technological results, the development of traditional Chinese medicine is bound to be affected. It is believed that with the development of science and technology and the deepening of research, the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in preventing hair loss will be clearer and clearer, and more natural medicinal plants and active ingredients with high safety and significant efficacy will be excavated.
References (omitted)
Source: zhaohaiting, Zheng Qin, Zhang Delin, zhangmingxia, weishaofeng, Xiong Hui, caikezhen, wumengqi, Yang Ming. Research progress on anti hair loss of traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients [j]. Chinese herbal medicine, 2022, 53 (22): 7254-7263