Promotive effect of topical ketoconazole, minoxidil, and minoxidil with tretinoin on hair growth in male mice.

Muhsin A Aldhalimi,Najah R Hadi,Fadaa A Ghafil

doi:10.1155/2014/575423

Abstract

Recently topical use of 2% Ketoconazole solution has been reported to have a therapeutic effect on androgenic alopecia. Minoxidil is a vasodilatory medication used primarily as antihypertensive drug. It was discovered to have the side effect of hair growth and reversing baldness. Tretinoin is commonly used topically for acne treatment and in the treatment of photoaging. It is used by some as hair loss treatment. Objective. To compare the stimulatory effect of Ketoconazole, Minoxidil, and Minoxidil with Tretinoin on hair growth in a mouse model. Materials and Methods. Coat hairs on the dorsal skin of seven weeks old male mice were gently clipped and then stained by using commercial dye. These mice were divided into four groups each of five treated with topical application of ethanol 95%, Ketoconazole solution 2%, Minoxidil solution 5%, and Minoxidil with Tretinoin solution 0.1%, respectively. The drugs were applied once daily for three weeks, the clipped area was photographed, and the ratio of regrown coat area was calculated. Results. The results demonstrated that Ketoconazole, Minoxidil, and Minoxidil with Tretinoin had a significant stimulatory effect on hair growth compared with the control group and Minoxidil was the most effective drug among them.

Highlights

Androgenic alopecia is a partial or complete loss of hair that occurs in a progressive pattern in genetically predisposed individuals [1]
There was a significant hair growth (P value < 0.05) in the groups treated with KCZ, Minoxidil, and Minoxidil with Tretinoin as compared with control group (Tables 1 and 2 and Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6)
The histological examination of the specimens showed no significant increase in the number of hair follicles (P value > 0.05) in all treatment groups, while hair follicle diameter has Groups KCZ-Minoxidil KCZ-Minoxidil and Tretinoin Minoxidil-Minoxidil and Tretinoin All data expressed as mean ± SEM

Summary

Introduction

Androgenic alopecia is a partial or complete loss of hair that occurs in a progressive pattern in genetically predisposed individuals [1]. A variety of genetic and environmental factors likely play a role in androgenic alopecia, and most of contributing factors remain unknown. The age at onset of androgenic alopecia differs but occurs usually in mid-twenties. The prevalence and severity of androgenic alopecia increase directly with age [2]. The basis of androgenic alopecia is a progressive decrease in the density of terminal hairs and concurrent increase in density of vellus hairs [3]. The mechanisms of these changes have not been established definitively, male pattern baldness is known to depend on androgens, in particular the dihydrotestosterone DHT [5]. DHT is synthesized from testosterone by 5α-reductase enzyme type-1 and type-2, and these enzymes are found on the nuclear membranes [6]

Methods

Results

Conclusion