ANTI-HAIR LOSS 43


The role of inhibitor tripeptides for mitigating hair loss


Peter Jung - Equipforskin Korea


A tripeptide is a molecule composed of three amino acids linked linearly by two amide (peptide) bonds. It is often recognized as a minimal functional motif in biological systems. The function of tripeptide is determined by the constituent amino acids and their sequence as a short linear motif (SLiM). These functional microdomains are crucial for mediating protein- protein interactions (PPIs) and other cellular processes, often by binding to specific globular domains of target proteins. Unlike larger, more complex binding


interfaces, tripeptide’s SLiM is simple, transient, and frequently located in the intrinsically disordered regions of proteins. The tripeptide’s short linear motif (SLiM) act as ‘molecular signposts’ that direct the protein’s behaviour by mediating interactions that control various cellular functions. Dr. Jang-Hee Hahn, a South Korean professor


with over 30 years of experience as a peptide biomimetic scientist, has found no functional difference between the 3 amino acid sequenced small molecule tripeptides and the larger polypeptides, so that he has invented a variety of functional tripeptides from short linear motifs within proteins for pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical and cosmetic use. The 500 Dalton Rule in pharmaceutical


ingredients explains why tripeptides with a molecular weight under 500 Da can penetrate the skin even when topically applied. Typical types of hair loss are androgenetic


alopecia (AGA) and alopecia areata (AA). AGA is genetically predetermined and sensitive to androgen hormones, specifically dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which shrink hair follicles and cause a hormonal thinning like male or female pattern baldness, while AA is an autoimmune disease causing sudden, unpredictable patchy hair loss. AGA may require long-term drug management


like FDA-approved Minoxidil or Finasteride, whereas AA is often treated with topical steroids, intralesional steroid injections or JAK inhibitors.


AR & Jak1 inhibitor tripeptides and their mechanisms of action Since AGA is hormonal and genetic and AA is autoimmune, here we introduce two hair loss- preventing tripeptides, AR Inhibitor tripeptide (INCI name: Tripeptide-80) and Jak1 inhibitor tripeptide (INCI name: Ac-Tripeptide-4 Amide).


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Figure 1: Mechanisms of action of AR inhibitor tripeptide and Jak1 inhibitor tripeptide As Figure 1 shows, AR Inhibitor tripeptide


as androgen receptor (AR) antagonist helps to reduce genetic hair loss by inhibiting the DHT (dihydrotestosterone) signaling pathway. Jak1 inhibitor tripeptide blocks JAK-STAT signaling pathway and reduces inflammation in autoimmune conditions by the activation of CD99. In addition, both tripeptides can reduce DHT-induced senescence (cell ageing) of dermal papilla cells.


Inhibiting DHT-induced activation of androgen receptor (AR) AR inhibitor tripeptide is an androgen receptor (AR) antagonist that prevents the DHT-induced androgen receptor (AR) from binding to specific DNA sequences of target gene promoters. To investigate whether AR inhibitor tripeptide inhibits DHT- induced activation of androgen receptor (AR), we performed in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) using LNCaP cells, which are a prostate cancer cell line.


June 2026 PERSONAL CARE MAGAZINE


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