Application of Inorganic Bioceramics in Promoting Hair Follicle Regeneration and Hair Growth

doi:10.15541/jim20250002

Abstract

Abstract:

Hair loss caused by hair follicle degeneration can seriously affect individuals' quality of life and mental health. However, the clinical treatment methods for hair loss have several limitations. Hair follicle regeneration has emerged as a significant challenge in the field of skin tissue engineering. In recent years, various inorganic materials, particularly bioceramics, have been identified as capable of regulating cell activities by releasing bioactive ions, which positively influences skin tissue repair and hair follicle reconstruction. Herein, the structures of skin tissue and hair follicle are introduced firstly, then the main types of bioceramics that can promote hair follicle regeneration are listed, followed by the related representative studies. Subsequently, the different application forms of inorganic materials in hair follicle regeneration are discussed. Finally, the development direction of bioceramics for hair regeneration is summarized and prospected. This review highlights the potential of bioceramics in promoting hair regrowth, offering new strategies for treating hair follicle damage and hair loss disorders.

Key words: bioceramic, hair follicle, hair regrowth, skin tissue engineering, review

CLC Number:

TQ174

MA Jingge, WU Chengtie. Application of Inorganic Bioceramics in Promoting Hair Follicle Regeneration and Hair Growth[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2025, 40(8): 901-910.

Figures/Tables 4

Fig. 1 Schematic diagram of the application of bioceramics containing elements such as zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), silicon (Si), and iron (Fe) in hair follicle reconstruction and hair regeneration through direct delivery, microneedles, mold forming, in-situ injection, electrospinning, 3D printing, and bioprinting

Fig. 2 Sandwich-structured wound dressing containing ZnCS bioceramics for deep burn wound repair[37] (a) Schematic diagram of the sandwich structure of the composite dressing by hot compression molding of hydrophilic ZnCS bioceramics and hydrophobic PLA; (b) Promotion of angiogenesis and hair follicle regeneration by Zn and Si bioactive ions released from the composite dressing; (c, d) Hematoxylin-eosin staining (c) and hair follicle marker protein CK19 staining (d) showing new skin tissue in deep burn wounds after 24 days of treatment, with arrows in (c, d) indicating new hair follicles ZnCS bioceramics PLA: polylactic acid; SWD: sandwich- structured wound dressing; CS: calcium silicate without Zn

Fig. 3 3D bioprinted micropatterned multicellular scaffolds containing MS for blood vessel and hair follicle regeneration[45] (a) SEM and TEM images of MS nanospheres; (b) Schematic diagram of bioprinted micropatterned multicellular scaffolds containing MS among which distribution forms of vascular endothelial cells and dermal papilla cells simulate vascular network and punctate hair follicles in dermal tissue, respectively; (c) Hair growth in the skin of nude mice after 30 days following transplantation of micropatterned multicellular scaffolds; (d) Immunofluorescence staining images of hair follicle-related markers K5 and AE13 in the newborn skin tissue of nude mice at 30 days; (e) Hair regeneration of AGA mice on 0, 7, 15, 25, and 40 days after scaffold transplantation; (f, g) Relative wound area (f) and hair coverage statistics (g) of AGA mice MS: magnesium silicate; AGA: androgenetic alopecia; Blank: no treatment; EC-2MS-GM: treated by MS-containing scaffold encapsulated with endothelial cells; Co-GM: treated by micropatterned co-cultured scaffold; Co-2MS-GM: treated by micropatterned co-cultured scaffold incorporated with MS

Fig. 4 ZCQ/MN microneedle patch for AGA treatment[51] (a) SEM images of Cu/Zn dual-doped mesoporous silica nanoparticles; (b) Schematic diagram of the preparation process of ZCQ/MN microneedle patch; (c) Gross photos of mice on 0, 6, 10, and 14 days after different microneedle treatments; (d) Statistics of hair coverage rate on the murine skin during 14 days; (e) Hair-covered area on the back of mice in each group after 14 days MN: pure microneedle; Qu/MN: quercetin-loaded microneedle; ZC/MN: microneedle loaded with copper/zinc dual-doped mesoporous silica;ZCQ/MN: microneedle containing copper/zinc dual-doped mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with quercetin

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