CONTEXT

In humans, hair growth and renewal are determined mainly by the activity of hair follicle and the surrounding dermo-epidermal environment. There are many causes of hair loss, an extremely emotional distressing disease that can make those afflicted particularly vulnerable. In most cases, this disease is of hereditary or hormonal origin. Depending on the type of hair loss, the existing treatments are not efficient on a small scale of time. They offer a temporary solution and often need to use invasive techniques. Therefore it would be useful to provide the cosmetic or pharmaceutical industry with an effective product. 

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

The present invention concerns a natural tetrapeptide Acetyl-N-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro (AcSDKP) and its analogues that stimulate vital hair functions by activating epithelial stem cells of the hair follicles and by restructuring the follicles epithelial sheaths. Consequently, AcSDKP stimulates hair growth by activating the cell proliferation and the production of collagen IV, keratin 19 and laminin 5 along the length of the hair.

DEVELOPMENT STAGE

In ex vivo model of scalp explants maintained in survival AcSDKP induces morphological and molecular modifications matching the criteria of hair growth;
In vitro AcSDKP :
– significantly stimulates the growth of Human Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells (HFDPC),
– induces bifunctional activation of a longevity-related protein, SIRT1 (synthesis and enzymatic activity). An important increase in the synthesis of SIRT1 by the keratinocytes mediated by AcSDKP may also contribute to hair cell rejuvenation. 

BENEFITS

In addition to easy and relatively low cost synthesis of analogues, these compounds present very low toxicity for the body and therefore are devoided of side effects on patients.
The economic interest for such a treatment is important since around two thirds of men suffer with hair loss by the age of 35, and 40% of sufferers are women.  

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

This most advanced application of this natural tetrapeptide and its pharmaceutical by-products is the cosmetic use for stimulating hair growth and increasing hair density. Taken separately or combined with another active ingredient, the cosmetic compositions can be included in any pharmaceutical form conventionally used for topical application.
This invention can also allow a cosmetic process for the treatment and/or prevention of hair loss, particularly alopecia.

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