Exploring the Efficacy and Potential Mechanisms of Topical Periplaneta americana (L.) Extract in Treating Androgenetic Alopecia in a Mouse Model: A Systems Pharmacology and Skin Microbiome Analysis
Tangfei Guan, Xin Yang, Canhui Hong, Peiyun Xiao, Yongshou Yang, Chenggui Zhang, Zhengchun He

TL;DR
This study shows that a topical extract from Periplaneta americana helps regrow hair in mice with androgenetic alopecia by targeting multiple biological pathways and improving skin health.
Contribution
The study introduces PA-011 as a multi-target therapeutic for AGA, combining systems pharmacology and microbiome analysis to reveal its mechanisms.
Findings
PA-011 promotes hair follicle stem cell proliferation by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
It reduces oxidative stress and inflammation while normalizing skin microbiota in AGA models.
PA-011 modulates key signaling pathways like PI3K-Akt/MAPK and improves metabolic functions.
Abstract
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the most prevalent form of hair loss, faces challenges such as high costs and limited efficacy in current treatments. This study demonstrates that PA-011, a derivative of Periplaneta americana (L.), exhibits promising therapeutic potential in AGA mouse models. Using a DHT-induced AGA mouse model combined with multi-omics approaches (LC-MS/MS, transcriptomics, metabolomics) and 16S rRNA microbiome analysis, we found that PA-011 promotes hair follicle stem cell proliferation (via upregulated Ki67 expression) by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway while suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation. Mechanistic studies revealed its ability to regulate the PI3K-Akt/MAPK signaling pathways, improve pentose phosphate metabolism and amino acid biosynthesis, and maintain skin microbial homeostasis. Safety assessments confirmed no toxicity with topical application.…
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Taxonomy
TopicsHair Growth and Disorders · Nerve injury and regeneration · Wound Healing and Treatments
