FCE 28260, A New 5α-Reductase Inhibitor: In Vitro and In Vivo Effects

In the 1996 study, FCE 28260 was found to be a potent inhibitor of 5α-reductase, more effective than finasteride, a reference compound, in both in vitro and in vivo settings. FCE 28260 demonstrated lower IC50 values, indicating stronger inhibitory effects on the enzyme, and was more potent in inhibiting human recombinant 5αR type 1 and type 2 isozymes. In vivo, it reduced ventral prostate growth in castrated rats more effectively than finasteride and showed a longer-lasting reduction in prostatic DHT concentrations. The study, which involved six to seven rats per group for each dosing experiment, concluded that FCE 28260 could be a more effective treatment for conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia and potentially androgenic alopecia due to its stronger and longer-lasting inhibition of 5αR.