KF19418, a new compound for hair growth promotion in vitro and in vivo mouse models

KF19418, a newly synthesized compound, stimulated proliferation of cultured hair bulb cells from new born mice in concentration-dependent manner in the range under 10 muM. In the culture system of whole skin pieces from 4-week-old mice which we earlier established, KF19418 promoted hair follicle elongation as in the case of minoxidil. After topical application for 2 weeks of KF19418 or minoxidil to dorsal skin of hair-clipped mouse alopecia model, KF19418 at 1% suspension accelerated hair regrowth at a rate comparable to 1% minoxidil solution. Thus, it was shown that KF19418 directly stimulated hair follicle in vitro and had hair growth promoting activities in vivo. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.