In this study, the hair-growth-promoting effects of topical vitexin were compared with those of topical minoxidil in a mouse model. Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly treated with 0.2% vitexin, 5% minoxidil, or 60% ethanol as a control. Topical application of
vitexin did not result in a significant difference of hair regrowth among groups. In contrast, histopathological data showed an increase in the number of hair follicles for the vitexin-treated group, with an accumulation in the early anagen phase in the dermis. The minoxidil-treated group showed a predominance of late anagen phase in the deep dermis and hypodermis, with some newly formed capillaries and vessel dilation. The hair-growth-promoting effects of vitexin were not significantly different from those of minoxidil. Importantly, vitexin slowly promoted anagen phase but did not induce systemic side effects. This study helps the development of a new therapeutic option for non-scarring alopecia.