# Phytochemical Profiling of the Halophyte Artemisia fukudo Makino and Its In Vitro Effects on Androgen‐Related Pathways Associated With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Alopecia

## TL;DR

This study explores the plant Artemisia fukudo and finds that its compounds may help treat prostate enlargement and hair loss.

## Contribution

The study identifies jaceidin and eupatilin as novel compounds with dual therapeutic potential for BPH and alopecia.

## Key findings

- Jaceidin inhibits 5α-reductase type 2 and downregulates BPH-related proteins in prostate cells.
- Eupatilin modulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling and upregulates VEGF and IGF-1, promoting hair growth.
- Artemisia fukudo contains bioactive compounds like scopoletin, jaceosidin, eupatilin, and jaceidin.

## Abstract

Artemisia fukudo Makino is a biennial halophyte from the Asteraceae family, known for its tolerance to high‐salinity soils. Based on the excellent activity of A. fukudo extract in regulating the 5α‐reductase type 2 (5αR2) enzyme, this study aimed to investigate the phytochemical properties and pharmaceutical potential of A. fukudo for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and alopecia. Eight compounds including sesquiterpenes (1
–4), coumarin (5), and flavonoids (6
–8) were isolated from 90% MeOH fraction of A. fukudo, and their structures were determined using NMR and MS experiments. Among the isolated compounds, compounds 5–7 were detected in HPLC‐DAD, and contents of compounds 5
–8 were successfully quantified using ESI‐MS. It was found that 90% MeOH fraction of A. fukudo contained scopoletin (5), jaceosidin (6), eupatilin (7), and jaceidin (8) at the concentration of 1.44, 35.71, 6.44, and 11.19 mg/g, respectively. Compound 8 effectively inhibited the expressions of BPH‐related proteins, AR, PCNA, PSA, and 5αR2 in LNCaP and RWPE‐1 cells. Meanwhile, compound 7 exhibited potent activity in regulating Wnt/β‐catenin signaling and induced the expression of VEGF and IGF‐1 in HaCaT and HUVECs. These findings suggest that A. fukudo and its bioactive constituents represent novel natural substances for treatment or improvement of BPH and alopecia.

This study investigated the phytochemical constituents of the halophyte Artemisia fukudo, leading to the isolation and identification of eight compounds characterized by HPLC–DAD and ESI–MS. Importantly, we demonstrate for the first time that jaceidin inhibits 5α‐reductase type 2 and downregulates BPH‐associated proteins (AR, PSA, and PCNA) in prostate cells, while eupatilin modulates Wnt/β‐catenin signaling and upregulates VEGF and IGF‐1, indicating hair growth–promoting activity. These findings reveal A. fukudo as a novel natural resource with dual therapeutic potential against benign prostatic hyperplasia and hair loss.© 2026 WILEY‐VCH GmbH