MECHANISM OF ACTION OF AVICENNIA MARINA HEARTWOOD EXTRACT AND AVICEQUINONE C ON HUMAN DERMAL PAPILLA CELLS ISOLATED FROM ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA PATIENTS

Abstract

Androgenic alopecia (AGA), is a genetically determined disorder associated with an increased production of the hormone 5-alpha -dihydrotestosterone which is formed from testosterone (T) by the enzyme activity of 5-alpha-reductase. Previously, crude extracts prepared from heart wood of Avicennia marina (AM extract) and its active constituent, namely avicequinone C (AC) were found to be able to inhibit the enzyme activity of 5-alpha-reductase. In this study, the possible mechanism of the AM extract and AC compound on the biochemical actions of hair growth was evaluated by using dermal papilla cells (DPCs) isolated from AGA patients. The studies showed that AM extract (10µg/ml) and AC compound (10µM) could inhibit the activity of 5-alpha-reductase enzyme causing the reduction of 5-alpha -dihydrotestosterone formation by 74% and 68%, respectively. Independently, both AM extract and AC compound could also significantly inhibit the translocation of the bound-androgen receptor complex into the nucleus which is the site of T and 5-alpha -dihydrotestosterone action. Both inhibitory actions of 5alpha-reductase and nuclear translocation by AM and AC appeared to have subsequent effects on the increase in the mRNA expression of VEGF and HGF which play important roles in the formation of new blood vessels associated with the hair growth (angiogenesis). In summary,the results from this study revealed the mechanism of action of AM and AC on hair growth in DPCs which is useful for supporting the development of Avicennia marina extract and pure AC compound as a potential product to prevent and treat AGA patients.