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This research investigates the therapeutic effects of Ishophloroglucin A on androgenic alopecia and its molecular mechanisms.

January 18, 2026Open Access

Therapeutic potential of Ishophloroglucin a from Ishige okamurae in androgenic alopecia: inhibition of 5α-reductase activity and activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in human dermal papilla cells

Key Points

This research investigates the therapeutic effects of Ishophloroglucin A on androgenic alopecia and its molecular mechanisms.
Conducted molecular docking analysis to assess binding affinity of Ishophloroglucin A to 5α-reductase.
Evaluated effects on 5α-reductase activity and associated signaling pathways in human dermal papilla cells.
Measured expression levels of various proteins related to hair growth and signaling.
Ishophloroglucin A showed higher binding affinity to 5α-reductase compared to finasteride.
Reduced 5α-reductase activity and androgen receptor expression in human dermal papilla cells.
Activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by promoting GSK3β phosphorylation and increasing β-catenin levels.
Increased expression of FGF and VEGF, both associated with promoting hair growth.

Abstract

Abstract Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is a common condition of hair loss, triggered by excessive 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) generated via 5α-reductase activity. This study investigated the anti-alopecia effects of Ishophloroglucin A (IPA), a compound isolated from the brown seaweed Ishige okamurae . Molecular docking analysis revealed that IPA exhibits higher binding affinity to 5α-reductase than finasteride. In human dermal papilla cells (HDPCs), IPA inhibited both 5α-reductase activity and androgen receptor (AR) expression, reduced levels of dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by promoting glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3β) phosphorylation and upregulating beta-catenin (β-catenin) expression. Additionally, IPA increased the expression of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), both of which are associated with hair growth promotion. These findings suggest that IPA is a promising therapeutic candidate for treating AGA.

Therapeutic potential of Ishophloroglucin a from Ishige okamurae in androgenic alopecia: inhibition of 5α-reductase activity and activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in human dermal papilla cells

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Abstract

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