Mechanistic synergy of hair growth promotion by the Avicennia marina extract and its active constituent (avicequinone C) in dermal papilla cells isolated from androgenic alopecia patients

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is associated with an increased production of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by steroid-5α-reductase (5α-R). Crude extracts from Avicennia marina (AM) and its active constituent, avicequinone C (AC), can inhibit 5α-R. We have, herein, explored the potential use of the AM extract and of AC as anti-AGA agents. To this end, we employed human dermal papilla cells (DPCs) isolated from AGA patients’ hair that express 5α-R type-1 as well as the androgenic receptor (AR) at high levels. Our in vitro experiments revealed that the AM extract (10 μg/mL) and the AC (10 μM) exhibit multiple actions that interfere with the mechanism that causes AGA. Beside acting as 5α-R inhibitors, both preparations were able to inhibit either the DHT-AR complex formation or its translocation from the cytoplasm into the nucleus (the site of DHT’s action). The treatments also increased the gene expression of growth factors in DPCs; these factors play important roles in the angiogenesis associated with hair growth. Moreover, the AM extract suppressed the apoptotic pathway, thereby postponing the initiation of the catagen phase. Taken together, our findings suggest that the AM extract and the AC could serve as natural sources for hair growth promotion and AGA treatment.