Discovery of Natural Steroid 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors

The document from March 1, 2019, reviews the role of steroid 5 alpha-reductase (S5αR) inhibitors in treating conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia, androgenic alopecia, and acne by reducing dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels. It points out the limitations and side effects of current synthetic inhibitors like finasteride and dutasteride, suggesting that topical applications could be safer. The document also explores the potential of herbal compounds as natural S5αR inhibitors, noting their traditional uses and the need for robust clinical trials to confirm their efficacy. However, it highlights the wide variability in the potency of these herbal compounds and the need for standardization in testing. The authors recommend systematic screening and standardization of assays, as well as well-designed clinical trials with around 20 participants to develop more effective and specific natural S5αR inhibitors. Despite the potential of herbal compounds, the document concludes that their development into clinically efficacious products has been inconsistent and provides recommendations to improve research in this area.