This study explores the potential of Perilla seed extract, particularly germinated Perilla seed extract, in promoting hair growth and preventing androgenetic alopecia. The results demonstrate that germinated Perilla seed extract significantly inhibits the expression of 5α-reductase genes in dermal papilla cells, activates hair growth-related genes (such as CTNNB1, SHH, VEGF), and promotes the proliferation and migration of hair follicle cells, showing stronger activity than conventional treatments like minoxidil. Additionally, the extract exhibits notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, further supporting its potential as a natural hair loss treatment. The study highlights that the germination process significantly enhances the pharmacological activity of Perilla seed extract, suggesting its promising application in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known as pattern baldness, is the most common form of hair loss. In AGA, androgens, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT), play a central role. Oxidative stress is also believed to accelerate the process of androgenetic alopecia. Elevated levels of DHT may increase the production of nitric oxide (NO) in hair follicles, triggering an inflammatory cascade that further damages the follicles, ultimately exacerbating hair loss.
Various treatment options exist for androgenetic alopecia, including topical minoxidil and oral finasteride, as well as non-pharmacological therapies such as laser therapy, regenerative cell therapy, gas therapy, and microneedling. According to current guidelines on the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, pharmacological therapies like finasteride and minoxidil remain the main approaches.
However, topical treatments can cause skin irritation, and oral finasteride is associated with systemic side effects, including sexual dysfunction and gynecomastia. As a result, there has been growing interest in plant-derived compounds with anti-hair loss and hair growth-promoting properties, which may offer a more favorable pharmacological and safety profile as natural therapies for treating androgenetic alopecia.
A study published on July 20, 2025, in Biology found that germinated Perilla seed extract promoted the growth, migration, and survival of hair follicle cells, reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, and activated genes involved in hair regeneration, suggesting its potential as a natural treatment agent for hair growth promotion and hair loss prevention.
DOI:10.3390/biology14070889
Perilla (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt.), traditionally used in Chinese medicine, is widely cultivated in East Asia. Perilla seeds contain a large amount of oil (30% to 45% of seed weight), which includes various bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols with strong antioxidant activity, as well as alkaloids, steroids, quinones, and tocopherols. Furthermore, Perilla seed oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially α-linolenic acid, which constitutes over 50% of the total oil content, along with linoleic acid. Previous studies have emphasized the potential of these bioactive compounds in promoting hair regeneration by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin, Sonic Hedgehog, and angiogenesis pathways. Earlier reports also indicated that Perilla seed extract significantly downregulated the expression of 5α-reductase (types 1–3), suggesting its potential to inhibit DHT-related hair loss.
Research Methodology
This study examined the hair regeneration potential of Perilla seed extract, including non-germinated extract (NG-PS), distilled water germinated extract (0 ppm selenium; G0-PS), and 80 ppm selenium germinated extract (G80-PS). These extracts were obtained using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and screw pressing (SC) methods.
After treatment with Perilla seed extracts or a standard control over a concentration range of 0.063–2.000 mg/mL, cell viability and proliferation were evaluated. The migration ability of dermal papilla cells was assessed using an improved scratch assay, and the effects of potassium ion channel activation on dermal papilla cell viability were measured using a modified potassium ion channel assay.
Percentage of fatty acid composition in perilla seed extract
Anti-inflammatory activity was determined by measuring nitrite levels using the Griess reagent, while antioxidant potential was assessed using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. Gene expression analysis related to hair loss was conducted after treatment with Perilla seed extracts or standard controls (including dutasteride, finasteride, minoxidil, and purine amine) for 24 hours at a concentration of 0.125 mg/mL.
Results
The distilled water germinated Perilla seed extract significantly inhibited the expression of 5α-reductase (types 1–3) genes in dermal papilla cells (key regulators of androgenetic alopecia). Its inhibitory effect was approximately 2 times higher than that of finasteride and 1.5 times higher than minoxidil.
Effects of perilla seed extract on gene expression in the androgen pathway
Additionally, the distilled water germinated extract upregulated the expression of hair growth-related genes, including CTNNB1, SHH, SMO, GLI1, and VEGF, showing approximately a 1.5-fold increase, indicating stronger activity than minoxidil. Treatment with the germinated extract significantly increased the proliferation and migration of hair follicle cells, achieving a 147.21 ± 2.11% increase in cell growth.
Among the germinated extracts, the distilled water germinated Perilla seed extract had the highest content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity.
Conclusion
This study highlights that Perilla seed extract, rich in bioactive compounds, particularly polyphenols, tocopherols, and fatty acids, demonstrates strong biological activity in promoting hair growth. The results emphasize that the extraction method influences the phytochemical composition and bioactivity of the Perilla seed extract, with the germination process further enhancing its therapeutic potential. This research suggests that germinated Perilla seed extract holds great promise as a natural treatment for promoting hair growth and preventing androgenetic alopecia.