# Natural products and their derivatives as candidate treatments for hair greying: from drug discovery to molecular mechanisms

## TL;DR

Natural plant-based products and their derivatives may help reverse hair greying by improving melanin production and transport.

## Contribution

This paper reviews recent advances in using natural products and their derivatives to treat hair greying, focusing on their mechanisms of action.

## Key findings

- Natural products like Polygoni multiflori radix and Epimedin B can regulate melanocyte stem cells and enhance melanin synthesis.
- Topical application of these natural products is more effective than oral administration for promoting hair pigmentation.
- Abnormalities in melanin synthesis and transport are key factors in hair greying, and natural products can address these issues.

## Abstract

Hair greying is a common aspect of the natural ageing process. Although it is generally not considered a medical problem, its high prevalence can substantially impact emotional state due to aesthetic concerns. A growing body of research has demonstrated that natural products and their derivatives derived from plants possess advantages and potential in the treatment of hair greying.

To review the last research progress in the treatment of hair greying by natural products and their derivatives, focusing on the target and mechanism of action of natural products and their derivatives and providing a reference for future clinical use.

We searched electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and CNKI) for studies published between January 2005 and June 2025. The research focused on the pathogenesis of hair greying and the use of natural products and their derivatives to prevent and treat it, using the keywords: “hair greying”, “hair pigmentation”, “white hair”, “snow hair”, “melanocyte stem cells” and “melanin”.

Account of natural products (e.g., Polygoni multiflori radix) and their derivatives (e.g., Epimedin B), are expected to treat hair greying due to their various qualities to regulate melanocyte stem cells, enhance melanin synthesis, or promote melanosome transport. Compared to oral administration, topical application represents a preferred approach for promoting hair pigmentation.

We discussed and summarized the mechanism of natural products and derivatives in the treatment of hair greying, which provided a reference for future clinical use.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13020-026-01340-0.

Hair greying is increasingly common and occurs at a younger age.The pathogenesis of hair greying is related to the abnormal function of melanocyte stem cells, and the abnormalities in melanin synthesis and transportation.Natural products and their derivatives can regulate the function of melanocyte stem cells and promote the normal process of melanin synthesis and transportation, thus helping to colour the hair.Natural products and their derivatives may represent a promising direction for the development of new drugs for treating hair health problems.

Hair greying is increasingly common and occurs at a younger age.

The pathogenesis of hair greying is related to the abnormal function of melanocyte stem cells, and the abnormalities in melanin synthesis and transportation.

Natural products and their derivatives can regulate the function of melanocyte stem cells and promote the normal process of melanin synthesis and transportation, thus helping to colour the hair.

Natural products and their derivatives may represent a promising direction for the development of new drugs for treating hair health problems.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13020-026-01340-0.