Peppermint oil modulating TGF-β1/VEGF pathways to reduce androgenic alopecia in male albino mice

This study aimed to investigate the effects of peppermint oil on hair growth in a testosterone-induced androgenic alopecia mouse model. Male BALB/c albino mice (32) were allocated into four groups: control, testosterone-only, a group treated with 5% minoxidil, and a group treated with peppermint oil. Androgenic alopecia was induced in male BALB/c albino mice by topically applying a daily dose of 100µl of 5% testosterone to their shaved back area. The remaining mice, which were also induced by testosterone, received a daily topical dose of a standard antiandrogenic medicine (minoxidil 5%) at a volume of 0.1 ml. In addition, mice were topically administered peppermint (0.1 ml) topically after one hour of induction with testosterone, which was continued until the end of the study (30 days). The findings demonstrated that peppermint oil successfully decreased testosterone levels by significantly enhancing the levels of follicular density (F.D), anagen/telogen ratio (A/T ratio), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF); simultaneously, it significantly decreased Free Testosterone (F.T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 (TGFB1). In addition, histologically, it resulted in a significant increase in the number of newly formed follicles in skin sections stained with Eosin and Hematoxylin (E & H). Peppermint oil has demonstrated significant efficacy in mitigating androgenic alopecia by modulating hormonal levels and inflammatory markers, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic alternative to traditional agents. These findings indicate that peppermint oil has the potential for additional clinical investigation in cases of androgenic alopecia.