This study investigated the hair regeneration promotion and
hair loss prevention properties of
Nelumbinis Semen (NS) extract in vitro and in vivo. The effect of NS on the proliferation and migration of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) was measured in vitro via
CCK-8 and scratch migration assays, after which the
antioxidant activity of NS was also quantified. NS extracts were then applied to the back of 7-week-old C57BL/6 mice for 3 weeks to monitor hair growth patterns and hair follicle (HF) histology. The mice were divided into three groups: negative control group (NC;
DMSO), positive control group (PC; 3%
minoxidil), and experimental group (NS extract 1,000 ppm). Moreover, to study the molecular mechanisms by which NS extract regenerates hair growth, real-time PCR was used to analyze factors related to the hair growth cycle. The NS extracts were found to possess high
antioxidant properties due to their high
flavonoid contents and electron-donating ability. Moreover, NS extracts enhanced
hDPC proliferation and migration in a concentration-dependent manner (15.63-125 ppm). The hair growth index and growth area of the NS group (2.81 score, 81%) on day 14 were higher than those of the PC group (2.65 score, 68%) (p < 0.05). Additionally, the HFs of the NS group were located deep in the subcutis, similar to the PC group with developed hair roots. Moreover, the
mRNA expression of
VEGF and
IGF-1 was higher in the NS group compared to the PC group, whereas TGF-β1 expression was lower (p < 0.05). Our findings indicate that NS modulates hair growth by increasing
IGF-1 and
VEGF expression while inhibiting that of TGF-β1. Therefore, our findings suggest that NS extract is a promising new
hair loss treatment derived from a natural substance that helps promote hair growth and prevent
hair loss.