Bisindolylmaleimide Protein Kinase C Inhibitors Delay the Decline in DNA Synthesis in Mouse Hair Follicle Organ Cultures

In 1997, a study demonstrated that bisindolylmaleimide PKC inhibitors, particularly Ro 31-7549, could delay the decline in DNA synthesis in mouse hair follicle organ cultures, suggesting a negative regulatory role of PKC in hair follicle proliferation. These inhibitors increased DNA synthesis with EC50 values between 1-4 µM and maximal stimulation levels of 151-197% compared to control. Ro 31-7549 was found to be 50 times more potent than minoxidil and delayed the decline in DNA synthesis by about 24 hours. The increase in DNA synthesis was observed after 48 to 72 hours of treatment. Control compounds without PKC inhibitory activity did not affect DNA synthesis rates, indicating the specificity of the PKC inhibitors' effect. These results imply that PKC inhibitors could be potential treatments for promoting hair growth, particularly in conditions like androgenic alopecia. The number of mouse hair follicles used in the study was not mentioned.