Mechanism Exploration of the Combined Use of Minoxidil with Natural Compounds Ginsenoside Rg3 and Glycyrrhizic Acid for Enhancing Androgenic Alopecia Therapy

    December 2025 in “ Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology ”
    Hao Sui, Shuhui Kang, Gang Wang, Xiaoya Pang, Ruixuan Wang, Li Zhang, Yunlan Li, Min Zhang, Qingping Tian
    TLDR Combining minoxidil with ginsenoside Rg3 and glycyrrhizic acid offers a more effective treatment for androgenic alopecia.
    The study explores the combined use of minoxidil (MXD) with natural compounds ginsenoside Rg3 and glycyrrhizic acid (GA) to enhance therapy for androgenic alopecia (AGA). The research highlights that activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is crucial for treating AGA. While minoxidil is more effective in up-regulating this pathway, Rg3 and GA are effective in inhibiting 5-α reductase and antagonizing androgen receptors, addressing the root causes of AGA. However, Rg3 and GA alone have limited effects on repairing damaged hair follicles. The combination of these compounds with MXD targets both symptoms and causes of AGA, offering a more comprehensive treatment approach. The study involved molecular docking and tests on C57BL/6 mice, providing a theoretical basis for clinical application.
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