摘要

Objectives: * Learn the mechanism of action of minoxidil * Learn the limitations of minoxidil response * Learn on botanical adjuvants for minoxidil therapy Introduction: Minoxidil is the only US FDA approved topical drug for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Minoxidil is effective in hair re-growth in 30-40% of patients and 50% of males. To exert its hair growing effect, minoxidil must be sulfonated in the scalp by the minoxidil sulfotransferase enzyme (SULT1A1). Low scalp SULT1A1 correlates with lack of minoxidil response; thus, supplementing the scalp SULT1A1 with naturally occurring minoxidil sulfotransferase enzymes could potentially improve treatment outcomes in androgenetic alopecia patients. Materials / method: To determine whether botanical extracts contain minoxidil sulfotransferase enzyme activity, different types of extracts were reacted with the test solution [Minoxidil Response Test (MRT) solution A total of 10 different plants were tested. The following plants were selected based on high flavonoid content as the final step in flavonoid synthesis requires sulfation: Broccoli Powder, Spinach Powder, Kale, Grape Seed, Olive Leaf Powder, Cabbage Powder, Cherry Juice, Red Cabbage, Cauliflower Power and Matcha Powder. Results: From the 10 common botanical extracts we studied, 7 exhibited significant activity toward minoxidil as a substrate. The botanical extracts with the highest OD at the lowest concentration correlated to an increased potency of the enzyme sulfotransferase. Three botanical extracts in particular, spinach powder, matcha powder, and broccoli powder, displayed significant activity at 2uL. Conclusion: Minoxidil, a potent vasodilator has proven to display therapeutic properties in terms of its effects on stimulating hair follicles. The enzyme, sulfotransferase is key to the drugs mechanism of action, as the drug needs to be converted to its sulfated form to carry out its mechanism of action. The aim of our study was to assess the potential of botanical sulfotransferases in sulfating the xenobiotic minoxidil. The common botanical extracts studied included broccoli, spinach, kale, grape seed, olive leaf, cabbage, cherry juice, red cabbage, cauliflower, and matcha.