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Turkish Journal of Biology

Abstract

Background/aim: Oxidative stress is a major contributor to melanocyte dysfunction and hair graying by impairing key signaling pathways. Eucommia ulmoides bark extract (EUE), rich in antioxidant phytochemicals, has shown potential in combating oxidative damage. This study investigated the protective and promelanogenic effects of EUE under hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress, with a focus on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Materials and methods: An oxidative stress model was established using B16 cells and a C57BL/6 mouse hair follicle model. Results: EUE significantly improved melanocyte survival and reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mechanistically, EUE activated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, leading to upregulation of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and its downstream melanogenic enzymes (TYR, TRP-1, TRP-2), thereby enhancing tyrosinase activity and restoring melanin synthesis. In vivo, topical application of EUE protected hair follicles from H₂O₂-induced depigmentation and promoted follicular pigmentation. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that EUE mitigates oxidative stress and promotes melanogenesis primarily by activating the Wnt/β-catenin-MITF signaling axis. These findings provide strong mechanistic evidence supporting EUE as a potential therapeutic strategy for oxidative stress-related hair graying.

Author ORCID Identifier

XIAOJIN LIU: 0000-0002-6574-7856

YAQIAN QIU: 0009-0008-7707-1911

XIAOBING LV: 0000-0002-9103-0517

LEI CHANG: 0000-0003-0937-4183

TIANCHENG JI: 0000-0003-0537-2826

YEFAN GU: 0009-0005-1001-3053

SHUYUE CHEN: 0009-0005-5074-1813

DOI

10.55730/1300-0152.2780

Keywords

Oxidative stress, Eucommia ulmoides extract, melanocyte protection, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, hair follicle pigmentation

First Page

790

Last Page

799

Publisher

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK)

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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