Mucilage powder from litsea glutinosa leaves stimulates the growth of cultured human hair follicles

The cleaning property of mucilage from the leaves of Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C.B. Robinson (Lauraceae) and its ability to promote hair growth were investigated. Mucilage was obtained by boiling dried leaves and was spray dried to result in the powder form. The cleaning property was investigated by examining the surface tension of the mucilage using a du Noüy ring tensiometer. Mucilage powder appeared to reduce water surface tension to a minimum value of 44. 95 mN/ m when the concentration of mucilage was increased to 20% (v/v) (equivalent to 460 μg/ml). A similar result was observed from mucilage in its original liquid form. The hair growth modulating effect of mucilage was determined on human hair follicle dermal papilla (HFDP) cell lines using the MTT assay. Prominent cell proliferation was observed at a concentration of 250 µg/ml of mucilage after 24 h in culture (a 1.4-fold increase compared to the control).