November 2022 in “Journal of Herbal Medicine” This study suggests that three mushroom-derived bioactive compounds, Zhankuic acid A, Sterenin M, and Melleolide K, may effectively inhibit SRD5A2 and stabilize its interaction, indicating potential for treating androgenic alopecia.
March 2022 in “Research Square (Research Square)” This study found that certain bioactive mushroom metabolites may inhibit the enzyme SRD5A2 more effectively than finasteride in computational models, suggesting potential for further research in treating androgenic alopecia.
6 citations
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July 2024 in “Heliyon” This study examined the evolutionary and functional homology of steroid 5α-reductase and DET2 proteins, identifying protists as a common ancestor, and discovered a new subclass DET2-like in plants, potentially involved in polyprenol reduction.
June 2025 in “Current Issues in Molecular Biology” In this laboratory study, Cucumis melo var. makuwa leaf extract significantly reduced DHT-induced apoptosis in human dermal papilla cells by modulating androgen receptor activity and gene expression, suggesting potential as a therapy for androgenetic alopecia.
April 2023 in “Dermatology practical & conceptual” This study concluded that lenalidomide significantly induces the proliferation and migration of melanocyte stem cells, enhancing their differentiation into functional melanocytes in a mouse model.
25 citations
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August 2015 in “Molecules” This study found that mimosine dipeptide enantiomers inhibit melanogenesis and cyclooxygenase enzymes in B16F10 melanoma cells, suggesting potential for treating skin hyperpigmentation and inflammation.
26 citations
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July 2007 in “Biochemical Pharmacology” This study found that phenyl-imidazole sulfonamide derivatives, particularly ISCK03, inhibited c-kit signaling and promoted depigmentation in various experimental settings, suggesting potential use as skin-whitening agents.
April 2023 in “International Journal of Pharmaceutics” In this study, melatonin-loaded Pickering emulsions stabilized by chitosan-dextran sulphate nanoparticles and enhanced with lecithin showed improved photostability, antioxidant activity, and follicular delivery in androgenic alopecia-affected rats, potentially rivaling commercial minoxidil for hair loss treatment.
3 citations
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December 2024 in “Iraqi Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences ( P-ISSN 1683 - 3597 E-ISSN 2521 - 3512)” This study reported that meloxicam-loaded spanlastics, created using the ethanol injection method, demonstrated potential as a drug delivery system with sustained release and effective entrapment efficiency.
July 2024 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” In these two clinical trials, DS-2325a, a KLK5 inhibitor, was found to be generally safe and well tolerated in healthy volunteers, with mild and non-serious adverse events, suggesting its potential for further development as a treatment for Netherton Syndrome.
December 2025 in “Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy” This study found that Melamax®, originally developed as an eco-friendly hair dye, provides significant protection against ultraviolet-induced oxidative and inflammatory damage in keratinocytes by modulating gene expression and signaling pathways, highlighting its dual potential for cosmetic coloration and skin photoprotection.
4 citations
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May 2022 in “Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences” This study found that a melatonin-loaded microemulsion exhibited controlled release and significant stratum corneum deposition in ex vivo permeation tests, suggesting its potential for further evaluation in treating androgenic alopecia.
4 citations
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December 2024 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” This study found that extracts from Hom Thong banana peels, rich in phenolic compounds, may inhibit melanin production in human and mouse melanoma cells, showing potential as anti-melanogenic agents comparable to standard treatments like arbutin and kojic acid.
1 citations
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June 2011 in “Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea” This study suggests that enzyme-modified oriental medical prescriptions could be a promising ingredient for hair products due to their beneficial effects on hair growth and melanogenesis with minimal skin irritation.
2 citations
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January 2019 in “Annals of Dermatology” This preliminary study found that Melandrium firmum extract may promote hair growth and inhibit 5α-reductase, suggesting potential as a candidate for treating androgenetic alopecia.
August 2025 in “Annals of Medicine” This study found that mycophenolate mofetil can enhance skin pigmentation in vitiligo models by activating the WNT signaling pathway and increasing melanin-related gene expression.
June 2010 in “Melanoma research” This study found that LDE225, a novel Smo antagonist, shows potential as a topical treatment for basal cell carcinoma due to its high affinity binding and effective inhibition of tumor growth in preclinical models.
January 2026 in “Drug Delivery and Translational Research” This study investigated the integration of crystal engineering and microneedle technology for androgenetic alopecia treatment, finding that microneedles loaded with newly developed Kopexil multicomponent crystals reduced drug diffusion rates in vitro compared to standard formulations.
38 citations
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August 2015 in “Drug Design Development and Therapy” This study observed that topical flutamide may be as effective as hydroquinone for treating melasma, with a trend towards greater improvement and patient satisfaction, but recommends further research before clinical use.
15 citations
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April 2011 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” This study found that A(3)B(5) downregulates melanin production and suppresses melanoma cell growth by promoting proteasomal degradation of TRP-2.
August 2024 in “Repozitorij Farmaceutsko-biokemijskog fakulteta (Sveučilišta u Zagrebu)” This study reports that a carbopol gel formulation with melatonin shows potential for extended drug release and biocompatibility in dermal applications due to its favorable bio-pharmaceutical properties.
September 2023 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” In this study, a cosmetic product with nano encapsulated cysteamine plus sunscreen significantly improved melasma symptoms and quality of life in adult women over 84 days, compared to sunscreen alone, without any medically relevant intolerance.
7 citations
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March 1990 in “Pigment Cell Research” This animal study observed that while topical MBEH and intraperitoneal phenol induced hair graying in eumelanic mice, they had little effect on pheomelanic mice, and amcinonide reduced certain epidermal melanocytes in both.
1 citations
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April 2022 in “Applied sciences” This study reports the development of a microemulsion using Momordica charantia extract, which demonstrated strong antioxidant and 5α-reductase inhibitory activity, potentially aiding hair loss management. The microemulsion was stable over 12 weeks, suggesting its future potential for cosmetic or pharmacological applications.
April 2016 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” This study identified mefloquine as a potent inducer of lethal ER stress that effectively eliminated vemurafenib-resistant and sensitive melanoma cells, suggesting its potential for repurposing as a melanoma treatment.
November 2024 in “Tạp chí Y học Cộng đồng” In this study, oral and topical tranexamic acid significantly improved melasma symptoms in 28 female patients, with all showing over 25% improvement and 50% achieving good improvement, while 92.86% experienced no side effects, suggesting it is an effective and safe treatment.
84 citations
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April 2013 in “Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology” This review discusses the current research and development of mannosylerythritol lipids, particularly focusing on their potential commercial applications in cosmetics; it reports no new results.
10 citations
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October 2023 in “Indian Dermatology Online Journal” In this study, the researchers highlighted the availability of new topical and systemic agents with varied mechanisms for treatment, emphasizing that the choice of agent should be tailored to individual needs and the options available in different countries.
6 citations
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January 2016 in “Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters” This study reported that certain minoxidil conjugates, specifically those with spermine, methylenedianiline, and diaminofluorene, were able to induce differentiation in HL-60 acute myeloid leukemia cells without toxicity at a concentration of 10 μM.
53 citations
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July 1981 in “Journal of Endocrinology” In this study, α-MSH and cyclic AMP were found to stimulate melanogenesis in hair follicle cultures, while cyclic GMP and melatonin inhibited melanin production but not tyrosinase activity.