Inhibitory Activities of Some Traditional Chinese Herbs Against Testosterone 5α-Reductase and Effects of Cacumen Platycladi on Hair Regrowth in Testosterone-Treated Mice

In the 2016 study, traditional Chinese herbs, particularly Cacumen platycladi (CP-ext), were found to inhibit 5α-reductase (5αR), an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a key factor in androgenic alopecia (AGA). CP-ext significantly promoted hair regrowth in testosterone-treated mice by shortening the time for skin darkening, increasing hair length, and altering the hair follicle cycle. It also reduced DHT levels in the skin and down-regulated 5αR expression without affecting serum androgen levels. The study, which included a sample size of 5 for histological data and 8 for androgen level measurements, suggests CP-ext has potential as a natural treatment for AGA, warranting further research to understand the active substances and mechanisms involved.