At present, the mechanism by which tiger nut oil could potentially affect hair growth is unknown. However, hypotheses have been put forward by the group of researchers who have studied this botanical extract. One of the proposed mechanisms is based on the inhibition of hair follicle stem cells. These cells play a key role in hair regrowth. Scientists speculate that tiger nut oil could slow down the regeneration of hair follicles, thus spacing out regrowth.
Another assumption: tiger nut oil could interrupt the cell cycle. According to this hypothesis, hair follicles would experience a slowdown, or even a halt, in their division, leading to a gradual decrease in regrowth. It is also suggested that tiger nut oil could induce the apoptosis of these cells, that is, their cellular death. Finally, researchers believe it's possible that tiger nut extract could accelerate the ageing of the cells in the dermal papilla, the vascularised structure located at the base of the hair follicle that allows its supply of oxygen and nutrients. By promoting the senescence of the dermal papilla, the follicle would become less active, which could explain a lasting slowdown in hair growth.
At present, these mechanisms are merely hypotheses and have not been proven.
Regarding the molecules in tiger nut oil responsible for these potential effects, the specifics remain unclear. Studies have shown that the bioactive compounds found in tiger nut oil significantly vary depending on the plant's origin Cyperus rotundus, suggesting the existence of phytochemical varieties. Cyperene (19.2-30.9%) and α-cyperone (4.5-25.2%) were the most abundant constituents of the oils from Nigerian and Tunisian species, but this was not the case for the Brazilian species, which mainly contained α-cyperone (22.8%) and cyperotundone (12.1%). As for tiger nut oil from India, it rather contains α-copaene (11.4-12.1%), cyperene (8.4-11.7%), valerenal (8.7-9.8%), caryophyllene oxide (7.8-9.7%) and trans-pinocarveol (5.2-7.4%). The work of MOHAMMED and his team does not specify from which variety of Cyperus rotundus the extract was obtained, making it difficult to predict the compound potentially responsible for slowing hair regrowth.