Researchers have designed a compound that may help combat baldness and reduce unwanted body fat. Known as chloro thienyl pyrazole3-carboxamide derivative, the compound binds to cannabinoid (CB) receptors, a type of large cell surface protein molecules in brain cells, which play role in the control of appetite, cognition, mood and drug dependency1.
The compound blocks and disrupts the function of the receptors known to inhibit hair growth when activated. This compound seems to be a potential drug candidate to check hair loss and reduce body fat.
Across the globe, researchers are trying to develop drugs that could block the activity of CB receptors. For the study, the researchers prepared several thienyl substituted pyrazole3-carboxamide derivatives. Of all the derivatives, chloro thienyl derivative 3 proved to be most effective and compared with Rimonabant 1, an anti-obesity drug.
The researchers tested its efficacy in diet-induced obese mouse models. The tissue and blood levels of compound 3 in brain were higher compared to rimonabant 1. Mice on high fat diets displayed significant hair loss after eight weeks. Administering compound 3 affected hair growth significantly as compared to rimonabant.
The compound 3, which structurally mimics rimonabant 1 shows efficacy in the reduction of body weight with interesting activity as a hair growth stimulator, the researchers say.
