The extract of Thujae occidentalis semen inhibited 5α-reductase and androchronogenetic alopecia of B6CBAF1/j hybrid mouse
April 2003
in “Journal of dermatological science”
TLDR Thujae occidentalis semen extract may help treat male pattern baldness by blocking a hair loss-related enzyme and reducing hair loss in mice.
The study investigated the effects of Thujae occidentalis semen (TOS) extract as a potential treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) by inhibiting 5α-reductase type 2, an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which is implicated in hair baldness. The TOS extract demonstrated higher inhibition activity of 5α-reductase type 2 with an IC(50) value of 2.6 µg/ml compared to gamma-linolenic acid, although it was less effective than finasteride. When applied topically to a fuzzy rat model, the TOS extract significantly reduced sebum secretion and sebaceous gland size after 6 weeks. Additionally, in a female B6CBAF1/j hybrid mouse model of AGA, the TOS extract and cyproterone acetate (an androgen receptor antagonist) both significantly reduced hair loss compared to a vehicle control, with no significant difference between the two treatments. These results suggest that TOS extract could be an effective topical agent for treating male pattern baldness by altering androgen conversion.
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