Involvement of Cordyceps sinensis extract in maintaining hair follicle growth phase confirmed
– suggesting new possibilities for hair loss care through verification using cell and tissue models.
June 23, 2026
ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, President: Hidetoshi Segi) is advancing hair care research to support healthy hair and scalp in order to realize "Connect for Well-being & Longevity." Based on its "Phytoscience Concept," a business strategy that scientifically elucidates the power of nature and gives back to modern society, Rohto conducted research on Cordyceps sinensis extract with carefully selected ingredients. As a result of tests using human hair follicle tissue, it was suggested that the extract has an effect of maintaining the growth phase of hair follicles. Furthermore, it was confirmed that it promotes the production of ATP, which functions as intracellular energy, in dermal papilla cells, which are considered the command center of the hair cycle.
This study demonstrated the potential application of Cordyceps sinensis extract to hair loss care. Going forward, we aim to utilize it in hair care products such as hair growth tonics and shampoos for those suffering from hair loss.
Figure 1: Overview of human hair follicle tissue culture test
Key points of the research
- Studies using human hair follicle tissue have shown that Cordyceps sinensis extract may help maintain the growth phase of hair follicles.
- We have confirmed that Cordyceps sinensis extract may support the intracellular energy production capacity of hair papilla cells.
Research Background
Figure 2: About the hair growth cycle, or "hair cycle".
In recent years, hair loss among women has become a serious problem, and the development of hair growth products for women is progressing. Our company has also been conducting research on hair growth, but research on hair loss care is still not as sufficient as research on hair growth.
The hair cycle consists of three phases: the growth phase, the regression phase, and the resting phase. When the hair transitions from the growth phase to the regression phase, the swollen part of the hair follicle shrinks, and the hair enters the resting phase. Eventually, the old hair falls out as it is pushed out by the newly formed hair. Therefore, in hair loss care, it is considered important to maintain the growth phase of the hair follicle and suppress the transition to the regression phase. In this study, we focused on Cordyceps sinensis extract and investigated its effect on maintaining the growth phase.
result
Result 1: Cordyceps extract is suggested to be involved in maintaining the growth phase of human hair follicle tissue.
After approval from the ethics committee, hair follicle tissue was collected from human scalps obtained through clinical practice. Only hair follicles in the growth phase were selected, and after culturing for a certain period, their growth or regression phase was evaluated based on the junction of the hair root. As a result, the percentage of hair follicles in the growth phase was 50% in the control group, compared to approximately 80% in the group treated with Cordyceps sinensis extract.
These results suggest that Cordyceps sinensis extract may suppress the transition to the regression phase and maintain the growth phase.
Figure 3: Photographs of hair follicles at the end of the culture period (excerpt)
Figure 4: Percentage of growing hair follicles at the end of the culture period
<Testing Method>
Hair follicle tissue was collected from human scalp, and only anagen-phase hair follicles were selected and cultured for a certain period in a medium supplemented with Cordyceps sinensis extract. Microscopic photographs were taken, and the growth phase or regression phase was evaluated based on the junction of the hair root. The ratio of anagen-phase hair follicles to the total number of hair follicles in each group was graphed as the anagen-phase hair follicle rate (n=16).
(Conducted by Rohto Pharmaceutical Research Institute)
Result 2: Confirmation that Cordyceps sinensis extract promotes ATP production in hair papilla cells.
To elucidate the mechanism of action of Cordyceps sinensis extract, we focused on dermal papilla cells, which control the hair cycle. ATP production in dermal papilla cells is thought to influence the hair cycle. While Cordyceps sinensis is known to promote ATP production in various cells, its effects on dermal papilla cells have not been fully elucidated.
Therefore, we investigated the effects of Cordyceps sinensis extract on hair papilla cells. As a result, it was confirmed that Cordyceps sinensis extract promotes ATP production in hair papilla cells.
Figure 5: Promotes ATP production in hair papilla cells by Cordyceps sinensis extract.
Figure 6: Comparison of ATP production per cell in dermal papilla cells
<Testing Method>
Cordyceps sinensis extract was added to hair papilla cells, and ATP was stained red with a reagent for fluorescence, followed by photography. The fluorescence intensity per cell was evaluated as the amount of ATP produced, and the relative value, with the control set to 1, was calculated and graphed.
(n=3, mean±SD,**: p<0.01 vs Control, Student's t-test).
(Conducted by Rohto Pharmaceutical Research Institute)
Future outlook
Based on our "Phytoscience Concept," a business strategy that scientifically unravels the forces of nature, we investigated the effects of Cordyceps sinensis extract, focusing on its constituent components. The results suggested its involvement in maintaining the growth phase of hair follicles, demonstrating a new potential application in hair loss care.
In the future, we aim to clarify the relationship between the active ingredients in Cordyceps sinensis extract and their effects, and to apply this knowledge to hair care products that are easy to incorporate into daily life, such as hair growth tonics and shampoos, to support people suffering from hair loss.
Terminology
- Cordyceps sinensis
It is a traditional medicinal ingredient derived from fungi that parasitize insects. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and is known as an ingredient associated with nourishment and invigoration.
- Hair cycle
This refers to the cycle of hair growth, maturation, and shedding. It is mainly divided into the growth phase, the regression phase, and the resting phase.
- growth period
This refers to the period in the hair cycle during which hair grows. Maintaining the growth phase is considered important for keeping hair healthy.
- catagen phase
This refers to the stage in the hair cycle when hair growth stops and the hair follicle shrinks.
- Hair papilla cells
These cells, located in the hair follicle, are involved in hair growth and regulating the hair cycle. They are also known as the command center of the hair cycle.
- ATP
Adenosine triphosphate is an abbreviation for adenosine triphosphate. It is a substance that acts as an energy source for cells to function.