A Baldness Savior? This Natural Compound Significantly Promotes Hair Growth!

With the accelerated pace of life, increasing work pressure, and worsening environmental pollution, hair loss has become a growing health and image concern among Chinese consumers. According to the “2025 China Anti-Hair Loss Trend White Paper,” the number of people experiencing hair loss in China has exceeded 250 million, with a clear trend toward younger populations—46.7% of individuals born after 1990 report experiencing significant hair loss.

This trend has directly driven the rapid expansion of the anti-hair-loss market. By 2025, China’s anti-hair-loss shampoo and hair care market is expected to reach RMB 20.461 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.97% from 2018 to 2025.

Recently, a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology brought new insights to the anti-hair-loss field. The findings showed that 4% naringin significantly promoted hair growth, with effects even superior to the widely used clinical hair loss treatment, minoxidil.

Source of the picture: Reference [1]

1、Significant Hair Growth Promotion by Naringin

The study used 40 SPF-grade male C57BL/6 mice, aged 4 weeks and weighing 17–19 g. After two weeks of acclimatization, their dorsal hair was shaved and chemically removed. The mice were randomly divided into five groups and treated once daily for 28 days with 1 mL of the following: 1% naringin, 2% naringin, 4% naringin, saline (control group), or 5% minoxidil (positive control group).

After 14 days of intervention, the 2% and 4% naringin groups showed significantly better hair growth than the saline control group.

Source of the picture: Reference [1]

Although visually similar hair growth was observed between the naringin groups and the 5% minoxidil group, histological analysis revealed that both the 4% naringin and 5% minoxidil groups exhibited a large number of thick, active anagen-phase hair follicles. Notably, hair follicle density in the 4% naringin group was significantly higher than that in the 5% minoxidil group.

Source of the picture: Reference [1]

2、Naringin: A Flavonoid in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Naringin, also known as naringoside or citrus flavonoid glycoside, is chemically named 4,5,7-trihydroxyflavanone-7-rhamnoglucoside. It is a natural flavonoid compound.

Naringin / Reference [2]

Naringin is derived from the peel and pulp of Citrus grandis (pomelo) or Citrus paradisi (grapefruit). It is also one of the main active components in traditional Chinese medicinal materials such as Drynaria fortunei, Fructus Aurantii, and Exocarpium Citri Grandis.

Source: Taobao

Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that naringin possesses anti-osteoporosis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, and lipid-regulating properties, highlighting its potential clinical and drug development value.

1) Antioxidant Effects  

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by oxidative reactions in the body can cause organ damage and are closely associated with various diseases. Naringin scavenges free radicals, regulates antioxidant defense protein expression, and enhances SOD and GPX activity, thereby improving overall antioxidant capacity.

2) Anti-Inflammatory Effects  

Inflammation is a complex immune response that, if uncontrolled, can worsen tissue damage. Studies show that naringin effectively alleviates inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and osteoarthritis. It may also exhibit synergistic anti-inflammatory effects when combined with silk fibroin.

3) Anti-Osteoporosis Effects  

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by reduced bone density and quality. Naringin upregulates bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), promoting fracture healing and improving osteoporosis with relatively low adverse effects.

4) Metabolic Regulation  

A study published in the Journal of Future Foods in January reported that naringin significantly reduced weight gain, lipid accumulation, and blood lipid levels in obese mice. Mechanisms include promoting fatty acid oxidation, inhibiting lipid synthesis, inducing browning of white adipose tissue, and increasing energy expenditure.

The mechanism diagram of phloretin in regulating obesity and metabolism

Source: Reference [3]

5) Neuroprotective Effects  

Naringin demonstrates notable neuroprotective activity. Research in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Reports indicates that it alleviates depression- and anxiety-like behaviors by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress, regulating the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, and enhancing monoamine neurotransmitter release.

Source of the picture: Reference [2]

3、Market Applications of Naringin

With rising consumer health awareness and growing demand for natural ingredients, the market size of naringin continues to expand.

According to industry data, China’s naringin market reached RMB 128 million in 2024, growing at 9.7%. In 2025, it is expected to maintain rapid growth, reaching approximately RMB 140 million. Major production regions include Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, and Jiangxi.

China is also a major exporter of naringin, with key export destinations including the United States, Japan, South Korea, and several European countries. Export value reached RMB 38 million in 2024 (up 11.2% year-on-year) and is projected to rise to RMB 43 million in 2025.

Due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering activities, naringin is widely used in dietary supplements and health products. For example, the U.S. brand Swanson offers naringin capsules containing 500 mg per capsule to support immune health.

Source: amazon

In addition, owing to its antioxidant and soothing properties, naringin is commonly incorporated into skincare formulations to reduce pigmentation and brighten skin tone.

[1]Zheng, X., Hu, J., Chen, Z., Liao, M., Luo, S., Lu, S., Lin, B., Naringin Promotes Hair Regeneration via Wnt/β-catenin Pathway: A Dose-Dependent Study in C57BL/6J Mice,Journal of Ethnopharmacology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2026.121236.

[2]Ojiakor, V. O., Ben-Azu, B., Finbarrs-Bello, E., Esom, E. A., Anibeze, C. P., & Anyanwu, E. G. (2026). Naringin exhibits adaptogen-like and neuroprotective effects on mice under chronic stress, reversing cortical neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Reports, 16, 100323.

[3]Zhang, Y., Zhao, G., Xue, C., Li, W., & Wang, Y. (2026). Exploration of the metabolic benefits and mechanisms of the flavonoid naringin on lipid homeostasis in high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. Journal of Future Foods. 

[4] Yang Xinrong, Dou Xia, Li Guofeng, et al. Research Progress on the Pharmacological Effects and Mechanisms of Naringin [J]. Chinese Herbal Medicine, 2022, 53(10): 3226-3240. DOI: 10.7501/j.issn.0253-2670.2022.10.033.

Cover image source: https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2022/04/11/02/03/grapefruit-7124541_1280.jpg