AP collagen peptides (APCPs) promote hair growth by activating the GSK‐3β/β‐catenin pathway and improve hair condition

Abstract AP collagen peptides (APCPs) are enzymatically decomposed collagen peptides that contain tri‐peptides such as glycine‐proline‐hydroxyproline. We found that APCPs increased the proliferation of both human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) and human outer root sheath cells (hORSCs). APCPs also stimulated the secretion of several growth factors, including IGFBP‐6, PDGF‐AB, PIGF and VEGF in hDPCs. Moreover, APCPs enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt(Ser 473 ), GSK‐3β(Ser 9 ) and β‐catenin(Ser 675 ), indicating the activation of the GSK‐3β/β‐catenin signalling pathway. Ex vivo culture of human hair follicles (hHFs) tissue and in vivo patch assay revealed that APCPs promoted the elongation of hHFs and the induction of new hair shafts. In a mouse model, APCPs significantly promoted the transition from telogen to anagen phase and prolonged anagen phase, resulting in increased hair growth. APCPs also improved the thickness, amino acid content (cystine and methionine) and roughness of mouse hair. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that APCPs accelerate hair growth and contribute to overall hair health. Therefore, APCPs have the potential to be utilized as a food supplement and ingredient for preventing hair loss and maintaining hair health.