To explore the antioxidant capacity of the drug α-mangostin (αMG) in hair follicle tissue, and speculate on its potential to protect hair from free radical damage and slow down hair pigmentation loss.

A micro-hair model of human scalp hair follicles was established based on the solid-liquid culture method. After pre-stimulation with 2% hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) , αMG with concentrations of 10 μmol/L and 40 μmol/L was added for incubation. After H₂O₂ induction and αMG treatment, the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the hair, the location and number of melanin granules produced, and the level of cell apoptosis in the hair were detected. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between groups, the LSD-t test was used for pairwise comparison among multiple groups.

40 μmol/L+αMG significantly decreased the ROS levels in hair. ROS levels in the H₂O₂ group and H₂O₂+40 μmol/ L αMG group were (1.44 ± 0.05) and (1.07 ± 0.09) times that of the blank control group, respectively. The increased in the production of melanin particles in the hair shaft caused by strong oxidants is inhibited, which in turn hinders the differentiation and migration of hair follicle melanin particles due to its antioxidant properties. The number of ectopic melanin particles in the H₂O₂ group increased from (11.3 ± 2.8) to (4.1 ± 3.2) in the H₂O₂+40 μmol/ L αMG group after 7 days of culture. αMG also demonstrates the inhibition of hair cell apoptosis. The fluorescence staining intensity of apoptosis decreased from (1.79 ± 0.13) in the H₂O₂ group to (0.83 ± 0.34) in the H₂O₂+40 μmol/ L αMG group when compared to the control group. Its antioxidant efficacy is comparable to that of the potent antioxidant N-acetylcysteine.

The micro-hair model can be used as a research model for hair melanocyte differentiation, migration and pigment changes. It verifies that the antioxidant effect of the drug αMG can significantly reduce the accumulation of ROS and cell apoptosis in hair follicles induced by H₂O₂, inhibit the ectopic secretion of melanin granules in hair follicles under stress conditions, such as the action of strong oxidants.