Selective Non-Steroidal Inhibitors of 5α-Reductase Type 1

The enzyme 5 alpha-reductase (5 alpha R) catalyzed the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which was linked to conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, acne, androgenetic alopecia in men, and hirsutism in women. Two isozymes, 5 alpha R-1 and 5 alpha R-2, were identified, each with distinct characteristics and tissue distributions, suggesting different roles in disease pathogenesis. The development of selective inhibitors for these isozymes, particularly non-steroidal inhibitors targeting 5 alpha R-1, was a significant focus in pharmaceutical research to create more specific treatments for DHT-related disorders. The paper reviewed major classes of these inhibitors and discussed biological tests for their efficacy.