Inhibition of 5α-reductase of de novo Generation of Short Anti-oxidant Peptides

This study aims to investigate the biological activities related to hair loss of short anti-oxidant peptides (DK peptides) 5α-reductase inhibition and anti-oxidation. The series of DK peptides were generated amphipathic helical properties using leucines, lysines and tryptophan residues. Cell viability and free radical scavenging activities were performed using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, respectively. The DK peptides were investigated for inhibitory activity against 5α-reductase. Antioxidant activities were determined by means of, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. All peptides could inhibit 5α-reductase in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage. In conclusion, DK peptides was suggested as the most attractive ingredients for improving hair loss, because of the high inhibitory against 5α-reductase inhibition.