# Vinegar‐Processed Black Soybean Promotes Hair Growth and Prevents Alopecia via Wnt/β‐Catenin Pathway

## TL;DR

Vinegar-treated black soybean promotes hair growth and prevents hair loss in mice by activating a key biological pathway.

## Contribution

VPBS and its extract show dose-dependent hair regeneration and alopecia prevention via Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulation.

## Key findings

- VPBS and VPBS-AE accelerated hair growth and stimulated anagen phase entry in depilated mice.
- VPBS-AE preserved follicle integrity and delayed alopecia induced by cyclophosphamide.
- VPBS-AE restored Wnt10b and β-catenin expression while suppressing GSK-3β.

## Abstract

The escalating prevalence of alopecia, exacerbated by rising life stressors, significantly impacts individuals' physical appearance and psychological well‐being, highlighting the need for effective interventions. Black soybean (
Glycine max
[L.] Merr.) is widely used in medicinal and dietary fields with a high safety profile. This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of vinegar‐processed black soybean (VPBS) and its aqueous extract (VPBS‐AE) on hair regeneration and antialopecia in C57BL/6J mice. For hair regeneration assessment, sodium sulfide‐depilated mice were orally administered VPBS (0.75, 1.5, or 3 g·kg−1·day−1) or VPBS‐AE (0.075, 0.15, or 0.3 g·kg−1·day−1) for 18 days. Outcomes were evaluated via trichogram scoring, hair length and weight analysis, histomorphometric evaluation, and Western blot quantification of β‐catenin, GSK3β, and Wnt10b expression. To assess antialopecia effects, cyclophosphamide (100 mg·kg−1) was intraperitoneally administered on Day 9 postdepilation, followed by 6‐day oral administration of VPBS (1.5, 3, or 6 g·kg−1·day−1) or VPBS‐AE (0.15, 0.3, or 0.6 g·kg−1·day−1). Alopecia severity was determined through trichogram analysis and macroscopic scoring. Results demonstrated that VPBS dose‐dependently accelerated hair growth, stimulated anagen phase entry, and attenuated cyclophosphamide‐induced alopecia. VPBS‐AE similarly promoted follicular repair, delayed alopecia, and preserved follicle integrity. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that in the model group, sodium hydrosulfide‐induced alopecia led to significant downregulation of Wnt10b and β‐catenin, and upregulation of GSK‐3β. While VPBS‐AE treatment effectively restored the expression levels of Wnt10b/β‐catenin and suppressed GSK‐3β expression, suggesting the therapeutic effects of VPBS‐AE may be mediated through the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Our findings substantiate VPBS and VPBS‐AE as promising functional food candidates for hair regeneration and alopecia prevention, with mechanistic insights implicating Wnt/β‐catenin signaling modulation.

Vinegar‐processed black soybean (VPBS) and its aqueous extract (VPBS‐AE) dose‐dependently accelerated hair growth, stimulated anagen phase entry, and attenuated cyclophosphamide‐induced alopecia. VPBS‐AE promoted follicular repair, delayed alopecia, and preserved follicle integrity. These effects may be mediated through activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway.