Inhibitory Effects of Tenebrio molitor Larva Trypsin Hydrolysate on Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of hair loss, with a high prevalence worldwide. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential of Tenebrio molitor larva trypsin hydrolysate (TMTH), an insect-derived bioactive hydrolysate, as a functional ingredient candidate for AGA. In vitro and in vivo assessments demonstrated that TMTH promoted human hair dermal papilla (HDP) cell proliferation, restored β-catenin expression, and alleviated dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced inhibition. In a testosterone propionate (TP)-induced alopecia mouse model, oral TMTH administration increased hair coverage and follicle number, upregulated Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/Akt signaling, reduced androgen receptor expression, enhanced antioxidant-related responses, and suppressed inflammatory markers. These findings suggest that TMTH may ameliorate AGA-related phenotypes by modulating hair growth-related signaling, local androgen-related responses, oxidative stress, and inflammation, thereby supporting its potential as a functional ingredient candidate for hair loss management.