Mohite, S. L. and Bagde, U.S.
Applied Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, University of Mumbai, Vidyanagari, Santacruz (East), Mumbai 400098, India
In vitro effect of Aloe vera root and sap extracts on hair follicle growth was studied by using organ culturing. Two parameters viz: morphological changes and measurement of growth of hair follicles during the time of incubation were studied. Hair follicles were isolated by enzymatic digestion from the scalp of alopecia areta patch and normal scalp. Hair follicle growth was assessed on the basis of proliferation of the peripheral cells as well as elongation of the follicle on 3rd, 6th, and 10th days of incubation. During this incubation period the normal follicles were found to be proliferating in the serum free medium, but the abnormal follicles did not show any proliferation. The follicles were then studied further for an In vitro growth in presence of Aloe vera extracts. The experiments were carried out in triplicates. The abnormal hair follicles incubated with the Aloe vera root and sap extracts at the concentration of 10ul/ well, showed In vitro growth while few of the extracts did show cytotoxicity indicated by the shrinking of the follicles, whereas the normal follicles showed enhancement of the growth. The results implicated a stimulatory role for tested Aloe vera extracts in accelerating in vitro growth of abnormal and normal hair follicles.