High-Throughput Screening for Discovering Small Molecules Capable of Increasing the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway to Promote Hair and Nail Growth

A high-throughput screening of 5,170 FDA-approved drugs and natural compounds identified nine significant activators of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which is crucial for hair and nail growth. Among these, Aminoacridine and Proflavine notably increased Wnt-related genes RSPO3 and RSPO4, with Aminoacridine also reducing the Wnt inhibitor WIF1 gene. In animal experiments, Aminoacridine, especially when combined with Minoxidil, showed superior hair growth effects compared to other drugs and Minoxidil alone. Imidocarb and Proflavine significantly increased toenail length. The study highlights Aminoacridine and its combination with Minoxidil as promising candidates for hair and nail regeneration, warranting further clinical trials to confirm their safety and efficacy.