Identification of Beta-Sitosterol and Stigmasterol as Possible Inhibitors of 5 Alpha-Reductase 1: An In-Silico Study

    January 2022 in “ Precision medicine and clinical omics ”
    Pardis Zamani, Omid Mokhtari, Fariba Dehghanian
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    TLDR Beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol might help prevent hair loss by blocking a specific enzyme.
    The in-silico study investigated potential inhibitors of the 5 Alpha-Reductase 1 (5AR1) enzyme, a key factor in androgenetic alopecia (AGA) or hair loss. Using homology modeling and molecular docking approaches, the study found that two natural compounds, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol, isolated from the plant Serenoa repens, could inhibit the regular activity of 5AR1. These compounds showed strong docking affinity of -10.7 and -10.1 kcal/mol, respectively, indicating strong interactions with 5AR1. The study also identified 11 amino acid residues involved in the majority of inhibitor and 5AR1 interaction sites, suggesting these residues are essential to inhibit this protein. These findings suggest that beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol could potentially be used as safe and novel AGA medicines for hair restoration.
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      community A battle won?

       7 upvotes 10 years ago
      The user tried various treatments for hair loss, including finasteride, vitamins, Saw Palmetto, beta sitosterol, pumpkin oil, borage oil, stinging nettle, and emu oil. They recently noticed tiny black hairs, suggesting some improvement.

      community (Topic) does saw palmetto actually work?

      in Chat  1 upvotes 9 months ago
      Saw palmetto can help reduce DHT levels and may work in combination with other supplements like beta sitosterol and pygume, but it's less effective than finasteride. Additional treatments like pumpkin seed extract, zinc, biotin, essential oils, scalp massages, and micro-needling can support hair health, but should not replace existing treatments like finasteride.

      community What's your opinion on this type of supplements?

      in Product 1 week ago
      The conversation discusses skepticism about DHT blocker supplements for hair loss, with many users recommending proven treatments like finasteride and minoxidil instead. Some users shared personal experiences with alternative treatments like beta-sitosterol and saw palmetto, noting side effects and limited effectiveness.

      community Approach: starting with dut then came om finestride

      in Finasteride/Dutasteride  2 upvotes 3 months ago
      The user initially used dutasteride, minoxidil, and vitamins, then switched to finasteride but experienced side effects and hair loss. They found better results with a natural supplement containing stinging nettle and beta-sitosterol, reporting thicker hair without side effects.

      community 5-Months Update: Minoxidil + Red Light Therapy + Lifestyle Changes

      in Progress Pictures  1021 upvotes 4 months ago
      The user reported positive hair regrowth after 5 months using Minoxidil, red light therapy, and lifestyle changes, including dietary improvements and stress reduction. They chose natural supplements like saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol over pharmaceutical DHT inhibitors like finasteride.

      community Which compounds in Saw Palmetto are actually beneficial?

      in Research/Science  2 upvotes 8 months ago
      Saw palmetto's fatty acids, particularly lauric and linoleic acids, inhibit enzymes linked to hair loss, while sterols like beta-sitosterol are less effective due to poor absorption. The conversation questions which specific compounds in saw palmetto contribute to its anti-androgenic effects.

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