A Comparative Study to Test a Plant Extract Against Minoxidil in HaCaT Cells

In this study, the effects of a botanical extract and 1% minoxidil solution on HaCaT cells were compared to investigate their potential in treating hair loss. Both treatments significantly downregulated interleukin-1α (IL-1α) gene expression, with the botanical extract causing a five-fold decrease and minoxidil causing a three-fold decrease. While the botanical extract did not significantly affect stereoid-5α-reductase type 2 (SRD5α2) gene expression, minoxidil did result in its downregulation. The findings suggested that the anti-hair loss effect of minoxidil might be due to the suppression of IL-1α and SRD5α2 gene expressions.