Ecklonia cava and its role in hair growth
Hairs are produced form hair follicles embedded in the innermost layer of the skin (dermis). Hair follicles consist of dermal papilla cells. Hair growth is closely related to the status of the dermal papilla cells. Ecklonia cava elicits several pathways involved in the multiplication of dermal papilla cells, ultimately resulting in hair growth. (Kim et al., 2013)
Ecklonia cava, more specifically the active component Dioxinodehydroeckol, improves hair shaft elongation, improved dermal papilla cell growth and the release of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) (Bak et al,. 2013)
Ecklonia cava also decreases 5-alpha-reductase activity and therefore decreases the amount of DHT in the body. Dieckol is the most active component in ecklonia cava for the reduction of 5-alpha-reductase. (Kang et al., 2012)