They raise fewer concerns regarding immune reactions compared to animal-derived ingredients and offer stable delivery of active components, aligning well with current trends in the cosmetics market that prioritise veganism, ethical consumption, ingredient standardisation, and mass production. Activon isolated exosomes with minimal structural damage by processing Houttuynia cordata(fish mint) cells using an ultra-high-pressure method, followed by sequential centrifugation, filtration, and Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF), subsequently verifying the material's characteristics through particle analysis.
Evaluations using human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC) revealed no cytotoxicity associated with Houttuynia cordataexosome treatment. Furthermore, the gene expression of VEGF and CTNNB1—factors involved in the hair growth cycle and hair follicle development—showed a concentration-dependent increase. VEGF supplies nutrients to dermal papilla cells and promotes their proliferation, while CTNNB1 facilitates hair follicle development and the transition into a new anagen phase through the production of β-catenin.
Houttuynia cordata exosomes acted multifacetedly, influencing not only hair growth factors but also addressing scalp inflammation and oxidative stress. The expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ—inflammatory cytokines involved in shortening the hair growth phase and transitioning hair follicles into the regression phase—was suppressed; furthermore, in UVB-induced oxidative stress models using human keratinocytes (HaCaT), the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings demonstrate a dual-action approach: activating dermal papilla cells while simultaneously protecting scalp cells from external stressors.
The hair growth, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects observed at the cellular level were evaluated in actual shampoo and serum formulations through human clinical trials conducted by a third-party agency. After using the Houttuynia cordata(fish mint) exosome-infused shampoo and serum for four weeks, the number of shed hairs decreased by more than 60%; notably, the serum showed a trend where higher ingredient concentrations led to a greater reduction in hair loss. These results demonstrate that the hair growth factor expression and scalp-soothing effects observed at the cellular level translate into tangible benefits when using the actual products.
Assessments of scalp redness revealed improvements of up to over 90% following the use of the Houttuynia cordataexosome-infused formulations. Additionally, the products reduced excessive scalp sebum, increased moisture levels, and improved dandruff indices. These findings suggest that Houttuynia cordataexosomes are not merely focused on hair loss but also address scalp issues—such as sebum and moisture imbalances, redness, and dandruff—thereby creating an optimal environment for hair growth.
