The Androgenic Alopecia Protective Effects of Forsythiaside-A and the Molecular Regulation in a Mouse Model.

Abstract

This study examined the inhibitory effect of forsythiaside-A, a natural substance derived from Forsythia suspensa (F. suspensa), on entry into catagen induced by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in an androgenic alopecia mouse model. In vitro experiment comparing finasteride with forsythiaside-A showed that forsythiaside-A treatment resulted in a 30% greater inhibition of DHT-induced apoptosis in human hair dermal papilla cell (HHDPCs) and human keratinocytes (HaCaTs). In vivo experiment showed that mouse hair density and thickness were increased by 50% and 30%, respectively, in the forsythiaside-A-treated group when compared to a DHT group. Tissue histological results revealed that the forsythiaside-A-treated group had an increase in size and shape of the hair follicles and a 1.5 times increase in the follicle anagen/telogen ratio when compared to the finasteride group. Western blot examination of TGF-β2 expression related to apoptosis signaling in mouse skin verified that forsythiaside-A reduced the expression of TGF-β2 by 75% and suppressed apoptosis by reducing the expression of caspase-9 by 40%, and caspase-3 by 53%, which play an roles up-regulator in the apoptosis signal. The forsythiaside-A group also showed a 60% increase in the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, which is a factor related to mitochondrial apoptosis. Our results indicated that forsythiaside-A prevents apoptosis by similar mechanism with finasteride, but forsythiaside-A is more effective than finasteride. In summary, forsythiaside-A controlled the apoptosis of hair cells and retarded the entry into the catagen phase and therefore represents a natural product with much potential for use as a treatment for androgenic alopecia.

• Authors: Heon-Sub Shin, Sang-Yong Park, Hyun-Geun Song, Eunson Hwang, Don-Gil Lee, Tae-Hoo Yi
• Journal: Phytotherapy research : PTR (Phytother Res) Vol. 29 Issue 6 Pg. 870-6 (Jun 2015) ISSN: 1099-1573 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25808759 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Chemical References

• Glycosides
• Tgfb2 protein, mouse
• Transforming Growth Factor beta2
• Casp3 protein, mouse
• Casp9 protein, mouse
• Caspase 3
• Caspase 9
• forsythiaside

Topics

• Alopecia (drug therapy)
• Animals
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Caspase 3 (metabolism)
• Caspase 9 (metabolism)
• Cells, Cultured
• Disease Models, Animal
• Forsythia (chemistry)
• Glycosides (pharmacology)
• Hair Follicle (cytology, drug effects)
• Humans
• Keratinocytes (drug effects)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Transforming Growth Factor beta2 (metabolism)