Scientists from the University of Sheffield and COMSATS University in Pakistan have discovered a promising new treatment for hereditary-patterned baldness, a leading cause of hair loss in both men and women. The breakthrough involves a sugar-based gel made from deoxyribose, a component of DNA.
In their study, the researchers applied the gel to mice with testosterone-induced hair loss and observed rapid fur regrowth in the treated areas. The gel was as effective as minoxidil, a common topical hair loss treatment. Sheila MacNeil, a tissue engineer at the University of Sheffield, suggested that the gel works by boosting blood flow to hair follicles, promoting growth.
Hereditary-patterned baldness affects up to 40% of the population, yet treatment options are limited. Minoxidil is widely used but doesn’t work for everyone, and finasteride, another option, has serious side effects, particularly for men.
The study, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, found that the deoxyribose gel promoted 80 to 90 percent hair regrowth in mice, with no significant improvement when combined with minoxidil. Researchers emphasize the need for more exploration in this under-researched field.
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