Catechins-rich tea extract and its functional properties mitigating hair loss

Abstract

Tea has been regarded as a significance food product with tremendous benefits for human health and well-being. Catechins are noted as therapeutic agents in tea, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The functional properties of tea and EGCG have shown promise in delivering cutaneous benefits. Nevertheless, their potential in mitigating hair loss, a condition that significantly affects individuals’ quality of life, remains elusive. There is growing demand for safe and effective naturally derived alternatives to synthetic medications for alopecia treatment, many of which are associated with adverse effects. This study aims to investigate the potential of the catechins-rich extract prepared from Camellia sinensis var. assamica or Assam tea in alleviating hair loss in androgenic alopecia models. The standardized catechins-rich tea extract (0.1–10 µg/mL) prepared was shown to demonstrate antioxidant activity, enhance cellular proliferation, and alleviate inflammation, specifically, IFN-γ and IL-15, in human follicle dermal papilla cells. The extract’s activities were observed to be stronger than its active component, EGCG. The extract and EGCG potently elongated hair shaft in an ex vivo mouse vibrissae, with effects exceeding those of the benchmark valproic acid. The catechins-rich tea extract and EGCG are identified as promising food-derived substances with anti-alopecia properties, and accounted as a new generation of agents that promote hair growth and mitigate hair loss, contributing to improved human health and well-being. © The Author(s) 2025.