Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Sulfation Mechanisms in the Biological Actions of Minoxidil

This 30-year-old document discusses the mechanisms behind the biological actions of minoxidil, a drug originally developed for hypertension but later found to stimulate hair growth. The study found that metabolic activation of minoxidil is required for its biological activity, and the identification of minoxidil sulfate as a naturally occurring metabolite confirmed this hypothesis. The study also discusses the cellular mechanism of action of minoxidil sulfate as a vasodilator antihypertensive agent. The paper highlights two major areas of interest for minoxidil research: the characterization of minoxidil sulfotransferase, an enzyme responsible for the bioactivation of minoxidil, and the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the actions of minoxidil sulfate.