Hair Growth Effect of Minoxidil

January 2002 in “ Folia Pharmacologica Japonica ”

Susumu Otomo

minoxidil sulfonylurea receptor SUR VEGF hair follicles apoptosis blood flow topical formulations Rogaine

From the encyclopedia

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Studysummary This article reviews the proposed mechanism of minoxidil in treating androgenetic alopecia, suggesting it may prolong the anagen phase by modulating cell growth factors and vascular activity, but reports no new results.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The 2002 document outlines the hair growth effects of minoxidil, a drug initially used for high blood pressure that was found to stimulate hair growth. Minoxidil is thought to work by activating the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR), which leads to increased blood flow, promotion of growth factors like VEGF, and prevention of cell death in hair follicles, thereby extending their growth phase. Although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, minoxidil is believed to enhance cell growth factors, inhibit apoptosis, and improve blood flow, which together stimulate hair follicles. Minoxidil was FDA-approved in 1988 and is available in various concentrations, including 1% and 5% topical formulations.

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Research cited in this study

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Minoxidil-Induced Hair Growth Is Mediated by Adenosine in Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells: Possible Involvement of Sulfonylurea Receptor 2B as a Target of Minoxidil

research Minoxidil-Induced Hair Growth Is Mediated by Adenosine in Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells: Possible Involvement of Sulfonylurea Receptor 2B as a Target of Minoxidil

83 citations , December 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts hair growth by targeting adenosine and possibly sulfonylurea receptor 2B.

research Hair Cycle-Dependent Expression of Hepatocyte Growth Factor Activator, Other Proteinases, and Proteinase Inhibitors Correlates with the Expression of Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Rat Hair Follicles

33 citations , December 1999 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

research Increased Vibrissa Growth in Transgenic Mice Expressing Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1

33 citations , February 1999 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

In this study, researchers found that overexpression of IGF-1 in transgenic mice stimulated increased vibrissa growth during the first neonatal hair cycle compared to their nontransgenic littermates.

research The Induction by Topical Minoxidil of Increased Fenestration in the Perifollicular Capillary Wall

12 citations , February 1999 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, topical minoxidil was reported to increase fenestration in follicular capillary walls around anagen hair bulbs in male rats.

Minoxidil Increases 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase and 5α-Reductase Activity in Cultured Human Dermal Papilla Cells from Balding Scalp

research Minoxidil Increases 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase and 5α-Reductase Activity in Cultured Human Dermal Papilla Cells from Balding Scalp

34 citations , February 1999 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

This study found that minoxidil increased 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity by nearly 40% in dermal papilla cells from balding scalps but not in nonbalding scalp cells or dermal fibroblasts.

research Analysis of Apoptotic Cell Death in Human Hair Follicles In Vivo and In Vitro

140 citations , December 1998 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Apoptosis in hair follicles varies by growth phase, with TGF-β possibly starting the catagen phase.

research Local Injection of Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor Alters Cyclic Growth of Murine Hair Follicles

109 citations , April 1998 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that recombinant human HGF/SF injections altered hair follicle growth cycles and mildly promoted hair elongation in mice, depending on their hair cycle stage.

research Minoxidil Upregulates the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Human Hair Dermal Papilla Cells

192 citations , March 1998 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that minoxidil significantly increases VEGF mRNA and protein expression in dermal papilla cells, suggesting a role in enhancing hair follicle vascularization in androgenetic alopecia.

Hypertrichosis and Increased Pigmentation of Eyelashes and Adjacent Hair in the Region of the Ipsilateral Eyelids of Patients Treated with Unilateral Topical Latanoprost

research Hypertrichosis and Increased Pigmentation of Eyelashes and Adjacent Hair in the Region of the Ipsilateral Eyelids of Patients Treated with Unilateral Topical Latanoprost

216 citations , October 1997 in “American Journal of Ophthalmology”

This study found that unilateral topical latanoprost use for glaucoma was associated with hypertrichosis and increased pigmentation of eyelashes in the treated eye compared to the untreated eye.

Activation of Cytoprotective Prostaglandin Synthase-1 by Minoxidil as a Possible Explanation for Its Hair Growth-Stimulating Effect

research Activation of Cytoprotective Prostaglandin Synthase-1 by Minoxidil as a Possible Explanation for Its Hair Growth-Stimulating Effect

81 citations , February 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study suggests that minoxidil activates PGHS-1, which may explain its hair growth-stimulating effects and could aid in designing more potent hair growth-promoting drugs.

research In the Absence of Streptomycin, Minoxidil Potentiates the Mitogenic Effects of Fetal Calf Serum, Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1, and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor on NIH 3T3 Fibroblasts in a K+ Channel-Dependent Fashion

32 citations , August 1996 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research A Randomized Trial of Minoxidil in Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

127 citations , July 1996 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that in women undergoing chemotherapy after breast surgery, topical minoxidil significantly shortened the duration of hair loss compared to a placebo without significant side effects.

research Inhibitory Effects of bFGF, VEGF, and Minoxidil on Collagen Synthesis by Cultured Hair Dermal Papilla Cells

23 citations , July 1996 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

bFGF, VEGF, and minoxidil decrease collagen production in hair cells, possibly affecting hair growth.

research Effects of Hypertrichotic Agents on Follicular and Nonfollicular Cells In Vitro

28 citations , January 1996 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology”

This study observed that minoxidil specifically increased DNA synthesis in hair follicle cells, suggesting its distinct mechanism of action in promoting hair growth compared to cyclosporin, which showed no direct proliferative effect on these cells.

research Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Is an Autocrine Growth Factor for Hair Dermal Papilla Cells

135 citations , January 1996 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Androgen Induction of Follicular Epithelial Cell Growth Is Mediated via Insulin-like Growth Factor-I from Dermal Papilla Cells

173 citations , July 1995 in “Biochemical and biophysical research communications”

This study suggests that IGF-I may mediate androgen-induced hair growth in outer root sheath cells cocultured with beard dermal papilla cells.

research Loss of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Human Alopecia Hair Follicles

47 citations , May 1995 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Hair follicles in people with alopecia have lower levels of a key blood vessel growth protein.

research Effect of Minoxidil Sulfate and Pinacidil on Single Potassium Channel Current in Cultured Human Outer Root Sheath Cells and Dermal Papilla Cells

16 citations , July 1994 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

This study found that minoxidil sulfate and pinacidil did not activate K channel currents in hair follicles, suggesting their effect on hair growth might occur through other mechanisms like increased blood flow.

research Potassium Channel Conductance as a Control Mechanism in Hair Follicles

30 citations , July 1993 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Potassium Channel Openers Stimulate DNA Synthesis in Mouse Epidermal Keratinocyte and Whole Hair Follicle Cultures

31 citations , January 1993 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology”

This study suggests that potassium channel openers, such as minoxidil, may stimulate hair growth by retarding the loss of proliferative activity in mouse hair follicles.

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

53 citations , January 1993 in “Biochemical Pharmacology”

This study reports a method for efficiently synthesizing chromeno-pyrimidine-N-oxides in good to excellent yields, confirmed by X-ray analysis, through a reaction between 4-chloro-3-formylcoumarin and aromatic carboximide oximes.

research The Hair Growing Effect of Minoxidil

9 citations , December 1991 in “Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences”

Minoxidil helps hair growth by increasing blood flow and stimulating hair follicles.

The Effect of Topical Minoxidil on Hair Follicular Cycles of Rats

research Lack of a Gonadal or Adrenal Androgenic Mechanism for the Hypertrichosis Produced by Diazoxide, Phenytoin, and Minoxidil

24 citations , May 1982 in “Biochemical Pharmacology”

These drugs cause hair growth without affecting testosterone or adrenal hormones.