31 citations
,
November 2014 in “Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science” A natural steroid in the body may protect against eye damage in glaucoma.
12 citations
,
March 1995 in “Journal of the American Chemical Society” Finasteride modifies 5-alpha-reductases through a two-step process, affecting inhibitor potency and possibly causing side effects.
8 citations
,
January 1991 in “European Urology” Finasteride lowers DHT levels and raises testosterone in a dose-dependent way.
57 citations
,
July 2016 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” 5α-reductase inhibitors increase the risk of sexual dysfunction, especially in men with enlarged prostate.
January 2018 in “Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology” Finasteride and dutasteride are effective for male hair loss and enlarged prostate but may cause reversible sexual side effects.
70 citations
,
July 2005 in “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” Ganoderma lucidum, a type of mushroom, may help treat enlarged prostate by blocking testosterone conversion.
26 citations
,
May 2013 in “Marine Drugs” Ishige sinicola, a type of seaweed, may help hair grow by blocking a hair loss-related enzyme and boosting important cell growth.
May 2024 in “Scientific African” Three natural compounds from Ghanaian plants may help treat BPH and alopecia.
July 2012 in “The Journal of Urology” Testosterone increases muscle mass regardless of DHT conversion blocking.
24 citations
,
May 2015 in “Schizophrenia Research” A drug improved schizophrenia-like symptoms in stressed rats by changing brain steroid levels.
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.
5 citations
,
January 2022 in “Clinical cancer investigation journal” Certain Dibenzo derivatives may help treat prostate cancer.
27 citations
,
January 2017 in “Neuropsychopharmacology” The enzyme 5α-reductase is key in causing psychotic-like effects from sleep deprivation.
55 citations
,
March 1990 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride may treat baldness but less effective for those with 5α-reductase deficiency.
19 citations
,
April 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Dutasteride works better than finasteride for hair loss, with both being safe to use.
37 citations
,
January 2015 in “Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine” An extract from Quercus acutissima bark was found to reduce sebum production and block an enzyme linked to acne.
2 citations
,
December 2008 in “Journal of Chemical Crystallography” The research shows that hydrogen bonds greatly affect the crystal structure of a Finasteride derivative.
23 citations
,
January 2001 in “Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin” New pregnane derivatives are effective at inhibiting an enzyme linked to hair loss and reducing oil gland activity.
December 2025 in “Cureus” Using 5α-reductase inhibitors for hair loss may increase the risk of dry eye disease.
29 citations
,
August 2008 in “Current Opinion in Pediatrics” Hair loss in teenagers is hard to treat and lacks a cure, with some treatments available depending on the type of hair loss.
22 citations
,
January 2001 in “Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin” Some new progesterone derivatives are better at blocking testosterone conversion than a common drug.
10 citations
,
August 1998 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” The compounds tested could potentially treat hair loss and alopecia.
35 citations
,
June 2018 in “Urology” The review suggests younger men taking 1 mg finasteride report more side effects, including sexual, skin, metabolic, and psychological issues.
41 citations
,
March 1998 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” The enzyme that changes testosterone to a stronger form is mostly found in the part of the hair follicle called the dermal papilla.
November 2012 in “Endocrine Practice” Enzymes called 5α-reductases have many body functions and need more research to safely use inhibitors.
19 citations
,
June 2010 in “Journal of acupuncture and meridian studies” A plant extract was found to effectively block an enzyme related to male hormone-related diseases.
35 citations
,
October 2004 in “Biology of Reproduction” PNU157706 reduced rat sperm movement and fertility without affecting offspring health.
January 2026 in “RSC Advances” Epristeride's metabolism in zebrafish helps improve doping detection methods.
1 citations
,
June 2021 in “Singapore Medical Journal” Dutasteride and finasteride can help increase hair growth gene expression but need further improvement.
51 citations
,
October 2002 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Finasteride increases hair density in female androgenetic alopecia, but individual results may vary.