Sulforaphane Promotes Murine Hair Growth by Accelerating the Degradation of Dihydrotestosterone

February 2016 in “ Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications ”

Mari Sasaki, Shohei Shinozaki, Kentaro Shimokado

sulforaphane dihydrotestosterone DHT androgenic alopecia 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases 3α-HSDs testosterone hair regeneration SFN AGA

TLDR Sulforaphane may help with hair growth by breaking down a hormone that causes hair loss.

In a study from March 1, 2016, sulforaphane (SFN) was found to promote hair growth in leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mice by accelerating the degradation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to hair loss. Administered at 10 mg/kg body weight, SFN significantly increased hair regeneration and reduced plasma testosterone and DHT levels. It also upregulated mRNA and protein levels of 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3α-HSDs), enzymes that degrade DHT, in the liver and cultured murine hepatocytes. These results suggest SFN's potential as a treatment for androgenic alopecia (AGA) by lowering DHT concentration and preventing its negative impact on hair growth. The number of mice used in the study was not specified.

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Sulforaphane Promotes Murine Hair Growth by Accelerating the Degradation of Dihydrotestosterone

Research cited in this study

research Telogen Elongation in the Hair Cycle of ob/ob Mice

research Androgenetic Alopecia: An Evidence-Based Treatment Update

research Hair Cycle Control by Leptin as a New Anagen Inducer

research HSL Attenuates Follicular Oxidative Stress and Enhances Hair Growth in ob/ob Mice

research The Efficacy and Safety of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Network Meta-Analysis and Benefit–Risk Assessment of Finasteride and Dutasteride

research Quality of Life Assessment in Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: Results of a Prospective, Multicenter Study

research Targeted Skin Overexpression of the Mineralocorticoid Receptor in Mice Causes Epidermal Atrophy, Premature Skin Barrier Formation, Eye Abnormalities, and Alopecia

research The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

research Steroidogenic Isoenzymes in Human Hair and Their Potential Role in Androgenetic Alopecia

research Molecular Mechanisms of Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Determine the Effectiveness of Botanically Derived Inhibitors of 5-Alpha-Reductase in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

research The Psychosocial Consequences of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Research Literature

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