A Novel Effect of Acyclovir on Hair Growth in BALB/c Mice: A Promising Future for Finding a New Topical Drug for the Treatment of Hirsutism

The study from April 2020 examined the impact of 5% acyclovir cream on hair growth in 24 female BALB/c mice, aiming to assess its use as a treatment for hirsutism. The mice were divided into three groups: control, vehicle, and acyclovir, with the acyclovir group receiving the cream twice daily for 28 days. Results indicated that acyclovir significantly delayed hair growth initiation, with the control and vehicle groups showing complete hair growth in 18±0.68 and 19±1.41 days, respectively, while the acyclovir group did not achieve complete hair growth by the study's end. Additionally, the acyclovir group had shorter and lighter hair, with a decreased count and diameter of hair follicles observed histologically. The study concluded that acyclovir might inhibit hair growth, offering a potential new treatment for hirsutism without observed side effects like inflammation or edema. However, further research is necessary to understand the mechanism and confirm acyclovir's efficacy and safety for hirsutism treatment.