Minoxidil sulfotransferase enzymatical activity in plants: A novel paradigm in increasing minoxidil response in androgenetic alopecia

BACKGROUND: Minoxidil is the only US FDA approved topical drug for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Minoxidil is effective in hair re-growth in 30%-40% of patients and 50% of males. To exert its hair growing effect, minoxidil must be sulfonated in the scalp by the minoxidil sulfotransferase enzyme (SULT1A1). Low scalp SULT1A1 correlates with lack of minoxidil response; thus, supplementing the scalp SULT1A1 with naturally occurring minoxidil sulfotransferase enzymes could potentially improve treatment outcomes in AGA patients. METHODS: In this study, we set to characterize SULT1A1 activity in various plants. RESULTS: From the 10 common botanical extracts we have studied, seven exhibited significant activity toward minoxidil as a substrate; thus, providing a potential novel paradigm to increase minoxidil response with natural supplements. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to characterize naturally occurring minoxidil sulfotransferase enzymes in plants.