2′-Fucosyllactose Alleviates Hair Loss in Testosterone-Induced Androgenic Alopecia Mice

2′-Fucosyllactose (2′-FL) is a component of human milk oligosaccharides and has undergone extensive investigation for potential health benefits. However, its potential to prevent androgenic alopecia (AGA) has not been reported. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of 2′-FL on hair damage in a testosterone-induced AGA mouse model. The administration of 2′-FL significantly reduced hair loss and increased both hair length and thickness in an AGA mouse model. Mechanistically, administration of 2′-FL increased hair follicle size and growth factor expression associated with hair growth. 2′-FL enhanced β-catenin signaling by activating AKT and ERK. In addition, 2′-FL suppressed apoptosis signaling and inflammatory cytokines in the dorsal skin of AGA mice. These results underscore the potential of 2′-FL as a therapeutic agent for AGA.