New preclinical research provides insights into how a polyphenol-rich botanical combination may support hair follicle function and resilience. The formulation combines standardized extracts of lemon verbena, olive leaf, Japanese pagoda tree, and rosemary and contains bioactive compounds including verbascoside, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, quercetin, carnosol, and carnosic acid. The study, published in Biomolecules in August 2026, investigated human dermal papilla cells and scalp tissue samples exposed to environmental stressors including pollution and UV light. In dermal papilla cells, the botanical combination increased cell proliferation to approximately 2.5 times that of untreated controls. Researchers also observed effects on collagen and signaling proteins associated with hair follicle function. The formulation helped preserve levels of IGF-1, a signaling protein involved in follicle development, under environmental stress. It also reduced markers of oxidative damage in scalp tissue exposed to PM2.5 pollution and UVA. Earlier clinical research involving 66 women had investigated the formulation’s effects on scalp condition, including moisturization, hydration, sebum levels, and redness. The new preclinical findings additionally suggest activity in pathways linked to DHT, which is associated with shortening of the hair growth phase and follicle miniaturization. Further clinical research will be needed to determine whether these mechanistic findings translate into measurable effects on hair growth.
