University of Sheffield study finds DNA sugar gel regrows hair in mice

A natural sugar found inside human DNA could soon provide a treatment for hair loss that matches the effectiveness of top commercial options without standard side effects, according to a study published in June by researchers at the University of Sheffield and Comsats University in Pakistan. Investigators identified the hair-growth properties of deoxyribose gel while studying wound healing in mice, noting that fur regrew faster around treated skin lesions.

Deoxyribose Gel Performance Against Existing Treatments

When tested on male mice with testosterone-induced hair loss, the biodegradable and non-toxic sugar gel stimulated a regrowth of 80 to 90 percent of long, thick hair within several weeks. That performance rivals minoxidil, sold commercially as Rogaine, which also stimulates 80 to 90 percent regrowth in male-pattern baldness models according to findings published in Frontiers in Pharmacology. Combining the deoxyribose gel with minoxidil did not significantly improve results further.

Deoxyribose Sugar Stimulates Blood Flow to Hair Follicles

While the exact cellular pathway remains under investigation, researchers observed increased blood vessel formation and skin cell proliferation around the treated areas.

Nos recherches suggèrent que la solution au traitement de la perte de cheveux pourrait être aussi simple que l’utilisation d’un sucre désoxyribose naturellement présent pour stimuler l’irrigation sanguine des follicules pileux et encourager la croissance des cheveux

Sheila MacNeil

Tissue engineer Sheila MacNeil of the University of Sheffield noted that enhanced blood flow to the hair bulb increases its diameter and strengthens hair growth. Coauthor Muhammad Anjum, a biomaterials researcher at Comsats University, pointed out that the findings open new avenues in an under-researched field.

Natural Gel Avoids Side Effects of FDA Approved Drugs

Androgenetic alopecia commonly affects men starting in their forties, while nearly 40 percent of women show hair loss signs by age 50. Existing FDA-approved alternatives like finasteride, marketed as Propecia, carry undesirable side effects including erectile dysfunction, testicular or breast pain, decreased libido, and depression. By contrast, the natural deoxyribose gel presents a topical option with no known side effects and simple daily application.

Human Trials Must Verify Safety After Mouse Experiments

Researchers suggest that confirming the gel’s efficacy in humans could eventually extend treatments beyond androgenetic alopecia to help regrow hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows following chemotherapy. However, investigators emphasize that current experiments remain restricted to male mice. Sheila MacNeil cautioned that the research stays at an early stage, meaning human clinical trials are required to verify safety and effectiveness before any public rollout.