Sulfation of Minoxidil by Human Liver Phenol Sulfotransferase

This study from 1990 found that minoxidil, a drug used for hypertension and hair growth, is sulfated by the phenol-sulfating form of phenol sulfotransferase (P-PST) in human liver. The N,O-sulfate of minoxidil is the active agent responsible for hair growth stimulation. The study also showed that there is no correlation between minoxidil sulfation and dopamine or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) sulfotransferase activities present in human liver. The results suggest that minoxidil is bioactivated by P-PST in human liver. The study identified that P-PST is responsible for most, if not all, of the sulfation of Mnx in human liver cytosol. The study also suggests that P-PST may be capable of sulfating and bioactivating N-hydroxyl arylamine compounds.