Eat your way to youthful hair: Antioxidant in vegetables may stop graying
Hair graying is often seen as a visible sign of aging. Around the world, people search for ways to slow or prevent this process. Despite the demand, few scientifically proven treatments exist. However, new research suggests that an antioxidant found in vegetables may offer a promising solution.
Studying hair graying in humans takes years, making it difficult to develop effective treatments. To accelerate research, scientists at Nagoya University in Japan created a model using genetically modified mice that mimic human hair graying. These mice develop gray hair more quickly, allowing researchers to analyze the aging process at a faster rate.
The study published in the journal Antioxidants, led by Masashi Kato and Takumi Kagawa, focused on how hair follicles lose their pigmentation over time. In both humans and these model mice, hair color depends on melanocyte stem cells (MSCs).
These cells reside in hair follicles and produce melanocytes, which generate pigment. As hair cycles through growth phases, MSCs renew themselves. Over time, this renewal process slows, causing a decrease in melanocytes and, ultimately, gray hair.
The research uncovered a key factor in this process: endothelins. These proteins help regulate melanocyte activity by binding to endothelin receptor B (Ednrb). In aging hair follicles, the production of endothelins declines, leading to decreased melanocyte function. This progressive loss of pigmentation results in gray or white hair. If scientists could find a way to preserve endothelin signaling, they might slow the graying process.
The Role of Luteolin
Luteolin, a naturally occurring plant flavonoid, has gained attention for its potential anti-aging properties. Found in celery, broccoli, carrots, onions, and peppers, luteolin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its impact on hair pigmentation had not been thoroughly studied.
To test luteolin’s effects, researchers treated graying mice with three different antioxidants: luteolin, hesperetin, and diosmetin. The results were striking. Mice treated with luteolin maintained their black fur, while those treated with hesperetin or diosmetin continued to gray. Whether applied topically or given orally, luteolin appeared to prevent hair from losing its color.
“This result was surprising,” Professor Kato said. “While we expected that antioxidants may also have anti-graying effects, only luteolin, not hesperetin or diosmetin, demonstrated significant effects. This finding suggests that luteolin may have a unique medicinal effect that prevents graying.”
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