int J Dermatol. 2008 Dec;47(12):1298-303.
Hair growth stimulatory effect by a combination of 5-aminolevulinic acid
and iron ion.
Morokuma Y, Yamazaki M, Maeda T, Yoshino I, Ishizuka M, Tanaka T, Ito Y,
Tsuboi R.
Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
BACKGROUND: 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a precursor of a
tetrapyrrole compound. 5-ALA has been used for photodynamic therapy as
well as for plant growth. 5-ALA and iron ion are precursors of heme,
which is incorporated into hemoglobin and cytochrome. AIM: To explore
the possible application of a 5-ALA and iron ion admixture on hair
growth in mice. METHODS: The effect of a 5-ALA and iron ion admixture on
hair growth and cell proliferation in mice was examined. The dorsal hair
of 8-week-old male CeH/HeN mice was clipped, and a 5-ALA and iron ion
admixture was applied to the dorsal skin once daily for 21 days in a
room supplied with common room lights. Hair growth was later examined by
calculating the ratio of the area showing hair growth to the total
clipped area. For the cell proliferation assay, a 5-ALA and iron ion
admixture at several different concentrations was added to a culture
medium containing keratinocytes or fibroblasts, and the cell numbers
were counted. RESULTS: Mice treated with an admixture of 5-ALA and iron
ion showed significant hair growth (P < 0.05) at day 15 relative to
those treated with iron ion alone, as revealed by the Tukey-Kramer test.
The stimulatory effect of the mixture was almost identical to that of 5%
minoxidil. No proliferation of keratinocytes or fibroblasts was
observed, however, when an admixture of 5-ALA and iron ion was added to
the medium. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that an admixture of 5-ALA
and iron ion stimulates murine hair growth in vivo independent of
epithelial and mesenchymal cells, although the precise mechanism is
still uncertain. This mixture has the potential to become a beneficial
new treatment for alopecia.
PMID: 19126021
