January 2026 in “Applied Biological Chemistry” Ishophloroglucin A from Ishige okamurae may be a natural alternative for treating hair loss by inhibiting 5α-reductase and promoting hair growth.
February 2026 in “Toxicology Letters” MK-0773 is a moderate inhibitor of the SRD5A2 enzyme.
3 citations
,
February 2021 in “Molecules” A new method was created to test the effectiveness of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) inhibitors, like finasteride and dutasteride, in human and fish cells. The results showed fish cells are more sensitive to these treatments, and dutasteride works better than finasteride in all tested cells.
September 2020 in “Current Enzyme Inhibition” Three compounds were found to inhibit a prostate disease-related enzyme and reduce prostate size more effectively than the current treatment, suggesting they could be used for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia.
44 citations
,
July 2012 in “Endocrine Practice” We need to learn more about 5α-reductases and neuroactive steroids to safely make drugs targeting these enzymes.
November 2012 in “Endocrine Practice” Enzymes called 5α-reductases have many body functions and need more research to safely use inhibitors.
17 citations
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May 1998 in “Steroids” Researchers developed a model to predict how well certain compounds can block an enzyme related to hair loss and prostate issues, suggesting a 50 mg dose of finasteride might be effective based on lab and body data.
26 citations
,
July 2012 in “Endocrine Connections” Mitotane changes steroid breakdown, affecting cortisol availability.
3 citations
,
February 2019 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” The effects of estrogen on human scalp hair growth are unclear and need more research.
6 citations
,
October 1993 in “Endocrinology” Finasteride blocks progesterone production in specific tumor cells, potentially causing side effects.
26 citations
,
June 2005 in “Journal of Molecular Endocrinology” Dutasteride is more efficient than finasteride, but individual results vary.
11 citations
,
August 1997 in “Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents” Many potential alopecia treatments need more testing to confirm they promote acceptable hair growth with minimal side effects.
47 citations
,
June 2009 in “Journal of Biological Chemistry” Finasteride helps treat hair loss and prostate enlargement by blocking a specific enzyme.
14 citations
,
April 2019 in “International Journal of Women's Health” Some treatments can stabilize Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, but more research is needed to find effective treatments, and hair transplants often fail.
2 citations
,
February 2004 in “Biopolymers” 4-(4-Phenoxybenzoyl)benzoic acid derivatives can both increase and decrease certain types of reactive oxygen species, and may be relevant to hair loss.
8 citations
,
February 2022 in “Molecules” Asparagus racemosus root extract reduced sebum and pore size in men but not in women.
47 citations
,
September 2016 in “Reviews in endocrine and metabolic disorders” The skin's ability to produce hormones is linked to various skin conditions, and better understanding this process could lead to new treatments.
14 citations
,
November 2008 in “Expert opinion on drug metabolism & toxicology” Finasteride helps treat prostate issues and may prevent prostate cancer in high-risk men.
July 2005 in “SKINmed/Skinmed” BRL 7660, once studied for male contraception, showed promise as an acne treatment but was not developed further due to competing drugs.
18 citations
,
January 1994 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology” Androgens shorten hair growth phases, causing finer hair and more severe hair loss in men.
February 2024 in “International journal of biology, pharmacy and allied sciences” Plant-based treatments can effectively and safely treat hair loss.
82 citations
,
August 2006 in “Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior” Certain steroids in the brain affect mood and symptoms of depression, and treatments targeting these steroids show promise for improving these symptoms.
5 citations
,
November 2015 in “Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry” Certain derivatives are more effective 5α-reductase type 2 inhibitors than finasteride.
13 citations
,
January 2017 in “Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin” Certain compounds, especially those with a propionic substituent, could potentially be new treatments for hair loss and similar disorders.
49 citations
,
January 2004 in “Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology/The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology” Selective non-steroidal inhibitors of 5α-reductase type 1 can help treat DHT-related disorders.
218 citations
,
December 2011 in “Advances in Urology” The document concludes that the 5 alpha-reductase enzymes are important in steroid metabolism and related to various human diseases, with inhibitors used to treat conditions like male pattern baldness and prostate issues.
3 citations
,
January 2016 in “Elsevier eBooks” Steroid hormones are crucial for body functions and have various medical uses, but their misuse can lead to dependence.
26 citations
,
October 2011 in “International Journal of Biological Macromolecules” Some newly made compounds are promising for treating enlarged prostate, hair loss, viruses, and prostate cancer, and might be better than current drugs.
11 citations
,
January 1991 in “Urology” New hormonal treatments for enlarged prostate show promise for safer, effective non-surgical options.
January 2015 in “Side effects of drugs annual” The document concludes that sex hormones and related compounds have various effects on health, with both potential benefits and risks.