Sandalwood imitating the fragrant could stimulate hair growth in humans

A chemical that mimics sandalwood has been shown to stimulate hair growth in humans. This brings hope to people who lose their hair around the world.

Researchers at the Monasterium laboratory in Münster have expressed hope that this new chemical can effectively treat hair loss and that the drug is effective on human volunteers. Prof. Ralf Paus, a researcher at the University of Manchester who led the research, described the discovery as "an astonishing discovery". mini human organ [a hair]. "The team found that there was a chemical pathway in the hair follicles that was affected by this chemical. This promoted hair growth and also slowed the death of the follicles. The results of the study appeared in the latest issue of the journal Nature Communications.

The chemical in question is called Sandalore. The chemical is used to make perfumes and soaps to recreate the smell of sandalwood. The team noted that this odorant chemical stimulates special cells in the nose. The team discovered that not only the nasal cells, these chemicals, stimulate other body cells, such as hair follicles.

Red sandalwood. Image Credit: Rifad / Shutterstock

They noted that there is a receptor called OR2AT4 that can be stimulated by Sandalore. This receptor has been found in the outer layers of hair follicles. They explain that hair follicle receptors are able to "smell" the chemical using their special receptors. Applied to the outer tissues of the scalp, Sandalore can reduce hair loss or follicular death and stimulate the growth of new hair. The results have been clinically significant, say the researchers.

This study was sponsored by an Italian company – Giuliani Pharma S.p.A., which provides Sandalore with a cosmetic product to stimulate hair, said Paus. Scalp tissues were collected for this study from patients undergoing a facelift procedure. The tissues were exposed either to Sandalore or Phenirat. Phenirat is known to be an OR2AT4 blocker. Within 6 days, hair growth was observed in tissues exposed to Sandalore. Paus explained that this was followed by a "very short, short and preliminary clinical pilot study" with only 20 female volunteers to whom Sandalore was administered to be applied on their scalp. Larger clinical trials are expected to begin next year, Paus said.