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The anti-apoptotic activity of Psittacofulvin in transplanted hair bulbs
Abstract
The anti-apoptotic activity of a new compound with a carotenoid-like structure was studied. This compound has been recently isolated chemically as a result of studies on the pigments present in a particular species parrots. This new class of pigment, which are also called Psittacofulvins, have been proved to possess interesting biological properties that differ from those that carotenoids are known to have. To evaluate the anti-apoptotic efficacy on dermal papilla of this compound we studied the effect on transplanted bulbs during hair transplants, like a model of induction of apoptosis of hair bulbs, because the evidence of the hair follicle damage during a transplantation is clear. We made a double blind randomized clinical trial on 50 men, volunteers, underwent an hair transplant (micro-mini grafts, FUE) in androgenic alopecia and treated with a topic solution with Psittacofulvin once a day, from 15 days before hair transplant to 90 days after transplantation. To study the effect of Psittacofulvin we used an experimental design evaluating: 1) the number of apoptotic fragments; 2) changes in the mitotic activity in the hair follicles before and after transplantation. Quantification of apoptotic fragments in transplanted hair follicles is a sensitive and accurate assay of hair follicle damage. Our results show a very important anti-apoptotic activity of Psittacofulvin in transplanted bulbs.
... As there are no RCTs comparing hair surgery vs. no hair transplantation, only a level of evidence 2 can be attributed to the included studies comparing hair transplantation vs. hair transplantation with supportive therapies (two of the studies obtained a grade of evidence B, one study obtained a grade of evidence A2 and one study obtained a grade of evidence C). 81,[102][103][104] Efficacyfemales In female patients, there is lack of evidence concerning surgery with supportive therapies. We suggest that combination therapy may reduce further postoperative progression of AGA. ...
Androgenetic alopecia is the most common hair loss disorder, affecting both men and women. Initial signs of androgenetic alopecia usually develop during teenage years leading to progressive hair loss with a pattern distribution. Moreover, its frequency increases with age and affects up to 80% Caucasian men and 42% of women. Patients afflicted with androgenetic alopecia may undergo significant impairment of quality of life. The European Dermatology Forum (EDF) initiated a project to develop evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Based on a systematic literature research the efficacy of the currently available therapeutic options was assessed and therapeutic recommendations were passed in a consensus conference. The purpose of the guideline is to provide dermatologists with an evidence-based tool for choosing an efficacious and safe therapy for patients with androgenetic alopecia.
A new chemical named parrodienes has been extracted from parrots' plumage. From the chemical point of view, parrodienes are polyunsaturated aldehydes similar to carotenoids. On the basis of this similarity we organized some biological experiments to evaluate the inhibition of lipoperoxidation of cell membranes induced by CCl4, protection against ultraviolet rays, anti-inflammatory activity and protection from an increase of ornithine-decarboxylase as marker of tumoral skin alteration. The results of these experiments showed that unsaturated dienes (parrodienes) play an important role on the inhibition and prevention of many biological processes that are at the basis of different pathological disorders.
The antioxidant activity of a novel series of derivatives with a carotenoid-like structure was studied. These derivatives have recently been isolated chemically as a result of studies on the pigments present in a particular species of birds, namely parrots. These novel derivatives, which are also called parrodienes, have been proved to possess interesting biological properties that differ from those that carotenoids are known to have. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the ability of these novel compounds to inhibit the formation of reactive oxygen species, especially their ability to block the formation of hydroxyl radicals, which are among the most reactive products of oxygen reactions and which produce the greatest damage to cells and tissues. The technique used to assess this antioxidant capacity of parrodienes was electron paramagnetic resonance, which allows direct assessment of inhibition of hydroxyl radical formation (.OH). The results show that these derivatives, especially octatriene, are able to exert evident antioxidant activity, thus confirming that their antioxidant properties are important for their biological activity.