Inhibition of 5α-Reductase of De Novo Generation of Short Antioxidant Peptides

The study conducted five years ago used chemically synthesized model peptides, specifically DK peptides, to investigate their effects on cell viability, radical scavenging activity, nitric oxide production, and 5α-reductase enzyme contents in RAW 264.7 cells. The cells were treated with varying concentrations of DK peptides (10, 50, and 100 μg/mL) and then exposed to LPS. The results showed that the DK peptides had a significant effect on the cells, including antioxidant activity as measured by a DPPH assay, and a reduction in nitric oxide production. Importantly, the study found that the DK peptides inhibited the 5α-reductase enzyme, which is involved in hair loss. The data was based on at least three independent experiments, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.