Abstract:
This study evaluated the topical efect of Lepidium sativum lyophilized seed extract (LSLE) towards
Sustanon-induced alopecia in male adult Wistar albino rats in vivo, compared to minoxidil topical
reference standard drug (MRD). LC–MS/MS together with molecular networking was used to profle
the metabolites of LSLE. LSLE treated group revealed signifcant changes in alopecia related
biomarkers, perturbation of androgenic markers; decline in testosterone level and elevation in
5α-reductase (5-AR); decline in the cholesterol level. On the other hand, LSLE treated group showed
improvement in vascular markers; CTGF, FGF and VEGF. Groups treated topically with minoxidil and
LSLE showed signifcant improvement in hair length. LC–MS/MS profle of LSLE tentatively identifed
17 constituents: mainly glucosinolates, favonoid glycosides, alkaloids and phenolic acids. The
results point to the potential role of LSLE in the treatment of alopecia through decreasing 5(alpha)-
dihydrotestosterone levels. Molecular docking was attempted to evaluate the probable binding mode
of identifed compounds to androgen receptor (PDB code: 4K7A).
