Disclosed are novel protective compositions for dermal papilla cells. In an embodiment the protective compositions of the present invention comprise 0.25% w/w or above of compositions comprising at least 10% w/w and above of 1-O-galloyl-&bgr；-D-glucose (&bgr；-glucogallin). In an embodiment, the said protective composition additionally comprises 50% to greater than 50% gallates including mucic acid 1,4-lactone 5-O-gallate, mucic acid 2-O-gallate, mucic acid 6-Methyl ester 2-O-gallate, mucic acid 1-Methyl ester 2-O-gallate and ellagic acid. In another embodiment the invention also encompasses synergistic protective compositions comprising the said protective compositions and 0.5% concentrate of liquid endosperm of Cocos nucifera, for dermal papilla directed towards helping the dermal papilla cells to form sufficient numbers and to retain a healthy morphology conducive for hair growth.
