Minoxidil (U10858) is an ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel opener, a potent oral antihypertensive agent and a peripheral vasodilator that promotes vasodilation also affects hair growth. Minoxidil is also a potent inhibitor of soybean lipoxygenaseare with an IC50 of 20 μM[1][2][3].
Minoxidil (1-00 µM; 24 hours; RAMEC cells) treatment shows very low cytotoxicities in the whole area of concentrations examined (from 1 µM to 100 µM)[1].
Minoxidil (0.01 mmoL/kg body weight; intraperitoneal injection; for 3.5 hours; fisher 344 rats) treatment inhibits carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema with an inhibitory potency (49%)[1].
References:
[1]. Hadjipavlou-Litina D, et al. Synthesis and evaluation of the antioxidative potential of minoxidil-polyamine conjugates. Biochimie. 2013 Jul;95(7):1437-49. doi: 10.1016/j.biochi.2013.03.009. Epub 2013 Mar 28.
[2]. Davies GC, et al. Novel and established potassium channel openers stimulate hair growth in vitro: implications for their modes of action in hair follicles. J Invest Dermatol. 2005 Apr;124(4):686-94.
[3]. Cohen RL, et al. Direct effects of minoxidil on epidermal cells in culture. J Invest Dermatol. 1984 Jan;82(1):90-3.