- What is RU58841?
RU58841, as a topical anti-androgen compound, has existed for many years. The earliest relevant research we can trace back to is an academic paper in 1994 titled [1]: “RU58841, a new specific topical antiandrogen: A candidate of choice for the treatment of acne, androgenetic alopecia and hirsutism” (RU58841, a new specific topical anti-androgen compound: A potential candidate for treating acne, androgenetic alopecia, and hirsutism), which was published in the journal “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”.
This study investigated the strong affinity of Ru58841 for the androgen receptor when it is applied locally in the body. As a topical anti-androgen compound, it can compete with androgens for the androgen receptor. Without affecting the concentration of androgens, it prevents androgens from binding to the receptor, thus making androgens unable to exert their effects. The research results show that RU58841 may have potential therapeutic effects on some skin diseases caused by androgens, such as acne, androgenetic alopecia, hirsutism, etc.分享
What is the mechanism of action of RU58841 mentioned in the paper?
What is the progress of clinical trials of RU58841 in the treatment of acne, androgenetic alopecia, hirsutism and other conditions?
How safe is the long-term use of RU58841?
In 1995, an academic paper was published: Absorption of a new androgen compound in the form of lipid or solution through the skin.
The structure of the sebaceous glands constitutes the main pathway for RU58841. The alcoholic solution of RU promotes the localization and retention of the drug in the stratum corneum, while the lipid carrier of RU is targeted at the sebaceous glands in the skin.
Studies have shown that RU58841 with a lipid carrier has better effects and better absorption.
In 1997, there was a piece of literature (“A Controlled Experimental Study on the Effect of the Non-Steroidal Anti-Androgen Compound RU58841 on the Androgen-Regulated Human Hair Growth in Skin Grafts of Nude Mice”). This was the first animal experiment of RU related to the treatment of alopecia.
Through controlled trials, it was shown that “Recycling and increased LHGR indicate a positive effect of RU58841 on human hair growth from balding samples grafted onto testosterone-regulated nude mice, and it is encouraged to conduct clinical trials to evaluate its potential in the treatment of androgen-dependent alopecia.”
In 1998, papers were published: (“Evaluation of the effects of RU58841 as an androgen antagonist in prostate PC3 cells and a topical anti-androgen for androgenetic alopecia in rhesus monkeys”) and (“Study on the effect of topical RU58841 combined with minoxidil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in rhesus monkeys”).
The original text of the research conclusion is as follows: “
However, after topical application of RU58841, a significant increase in hair density, thickening, and length was observed in the macaque model of androgenetic alopecia, while no systemic effects were detected. In summary, our results suggest that RU58841 may have a potent antagonistic effect on the wild-type androgen receptor (wt AR) and can be regarded as a topically applied active anti-androgen for the treatment of androgen-dependent skin diseases, such as acne, androgenetic alopecia, and hirsutism.
At this time, another anti-androgen drug for treating alopecia, finasteride (1997), was launched in the United States. Suddenly, finasteride, as a new drug for treating alopecia at that time, spread all over the world. The launch of finasteride opened a new era in the fight against human alopecia. Since then, the research on RU has become increasingly cold. Later, with the expiration and termination of the RU patent, its commercial value gradually declined, and there has been less and less research on RU.
In the 2001 literature: “Synthesis and Structure-Activity Studies of Side-Chain Derivatized Arylhydantoins for Investigation as Androgen Receptor Radioligands”, the affinity of RU for the androgen receptor was also mentioned, indicating that RU is a relatively strong androgen antagonist that can compete with androgens for the androgen receptor without affecting the concentration of androgens themselves.
In the 2014 literature: “Alternative Synthesis of the Anti-Baldness Compound RU58841”, the literature described an alternative synthesis method of RU58841. “
As an anti-androgen compound, many people are concerned about the side effects of RU58841. Theoretically, the side effects of RU should be much smaller than those of the similar finasteride. On the one hand, it is applied topically through the skin. On the other hand, it is just an androgen antagonist and does not directly affect the concentration of testosterone or dihydrotestosterone. In addition, some literature has also confirmed that the topical application of RU will not affect the human blood system. Many literatures have proven the potential of RU in treating alopecia.
In recent years, netizens in developed countries in Europe and America have shared their experiences with RU58841. The latest discussions about RU can be easily found on the world’s largest video website and the world’s largest and most active hair loss forum, Hairlosstalk website.
RU has already been launched as a topical drug for treating alopecia in Hong Kong, China. The packaging is shown in the following figure:
Conclusion:
The above content is completely objective about RU58841. It has always been the focus of attention and research in the academic community, and there are formal research literatures that have proven its effectiveness and safety. Of course, RU itself is not perfect. It is understood that due to the different constitutions of each person, the effect is not obvious for some people, which is also a problem that exists with any product currently on the market. Its side effects are still unclear, but theoretically, they are much smaller than those of finasteride.
The false statements about RU58841 on the Internet simply cannot withstand scrutiny. They are just commercial teams aiming for profit. RU58841 is not a miraculous drug and should be viewed objectively. We also hope that netizens who have used it can share how effective RU58841 is for them, so as to provide correct information for everyone and avoid misinformation!
