A Novel Squid Ink–Quinolin Derived Compound (AEBI), Promotes Hair Growth and Enhances Hair Follicle Stem Cell Activity
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Marine Pharmacology, College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
- 2Key Laboratory of Oceanic and Polar Fisheries, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai 200090, China
- 3Putuo Branch of International Combined Research Center for Marine Biological Sciences, Zhoushan 316104, China
- 4Marine Biomedical Science and Technology Innovation Platform of Lin-Gang Special Area, Shanghai 201306, China
Abstract
Squid ink is a marine-derived bioresource containing diverse bioactive compounds; however, the biological functions of its low-molecular-weight constituents remain largely unexplored. In this study, a novel quinolin derivative, named AEBI, was isolated and identified from squid ink through enzymatic hydrolysis, chromatographic purification, and spectroscopic analysis. The hair growth–promoting activity of AEBI was subsequently evaluated using mouse hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) and a depilation model established in male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. In vitro, AEBI significantly enhanced HFSC viability in a concentration-dependent manner and increased the expression of stem cell- and extracellular matrix-associated proteins, including p63, laminin, and fibronectin. In vivo, topical administration of AEBI markedly accelerated hair regrowth, increased hair follicle density, promoted follicular maturation, and improved hair shaft morphology in depilated rats. Histological analysis revealed that AEBI treatment increased the proportion of mature hair follicles and enhanced subcutaneous adipose tissue development. Furthermore, AEBI treatment upregulated the expression of hair growth–related molecules, including Wnt10b, β-catenin, LEF1, and Ki-67, suggesting that modulation of Wnt/β-catenin-associated signaling may contribute to its hair growth–promoting effects. Notably, high-dose AEBI exhibited comparable or superior effects to 5% minoxidil in several evaluated parameters. Collectively, these findings identify AEBI as a novel squid ink–derived bioactive molecule with potential applications in the development of natural hair growth–promoting agents and provide new insights into the utilization of marine-derived small molecules.
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BibTeX
@article{tian2026novel,
title = {{A Novel Squid Ink–Quinolin Derived Compound (AEBI), Promotes Hair Growth and Enhances Hair Follicle Stem Cell Activity}},
author = {Xiaoqing Tian and Weiqi He and Youshiqi Zhou and Xiaozhen Diao and Chengqi Fan and Yanan Lu and Fenghua Tang and Na Li and Wenhui Wu},
journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/ijms27209039},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9039},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A Novel Squid Ink–Quinolin Derived Compound (AEBI), Promotes Hair Growth and Enhances Hair Follicle Stem Cell Activity
AU - Xiaoqing Tian
AU - Weiqi He
AU - Youshiqi Zhou
AU - Xiaozhen Diao
AU - Chengqi Fan
AU - Yanan Lu
AU - Fenghua Tang
AU - Na Li
AU - Wenhui Wu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO - 10.3390/ijms27209039
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9039
AB - Squid ink is a marine-derived bioresource containing diverse bioactive compounds; however, the biological functions of its low-molecular-weight constituents remain largely unexplored. In this study, a novel quinolin derivative, named AEBI, was isolated and identified from squid ink through enzymatic hydrolysis, chromatographic purification, and spectroscopic analysis. The hair growth–promoting activity of AEBI was subsequently evaluated using mouse hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) and a depilation model established in male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. In vitro, AEBI significantly enhanced HFSC viability in a concentration-dependent manner and increased the expression of stem cell- and extracellular matrix-associated proteins, including p63, laminin, and fibronectin. In vivo, topical administration of AEBI markedly accelerated hair regrowth, increased hair follicle density, promoted follicular maturation, and improved hair shaft morphology in depilated rats. Histological analysis revealed that AEBI treatment increased the proportion of mature hair follicles and enhanced subcutaneous adipose tissue development. Furthermore, AEBI treatment upregulated the expression of hair growth–related molecules, including Wnt10b, β-catenin, LEF1, and Ki-67, suggesting that modulation of Wnt/β-catenin-associated signaling may contribute to its hair growth–promoting effects. Notably, high-dose AEBI exhibited comparable or superior effects to 5% minoxidil in several evaluated parameters. Collectively, these findings identify AEBI as a novel squid ink–derived bioactive molecule with potential applications in the development of natural hair growth–promoting agents and provide new insights into the utilization of marine-derived small molecules.
SN - 1422-0067
ER -