A 2024 study in Frontiers in Pharmacology  reveals that a basic sugar could be the next treatment for hereditary-pattern baldness, which affects up to 40 percent of men and women. Deoxyribose, a natural component of DNA, was found to accelerate fur regrowth in mice while researchers were studying its effects on wound healing. Intrigued by this finding, the researchers tested deoxyribose on male mice experiencing testosterone-driven hair loss.

For 20 days, groups of mice were treated with a biodegradable, non-toxic deoxyribose hydrogel; minoxidil; or a combination of both. Minoxidil, sold as Rogaine, is an approved topical hair loss treatment. After the treatment period, researchers measured hair regrowth, length and diameter, comparing results to untreated mice. The treatment groups achieved 80 to 90 percent hair regrowth, suggesting that deoxyribose might be as effective as minoxidil in enhancing the blood flow to hair follicles. Mice treated with the combination showed similar results to those receiving only one form of treatment. Additional research is needed to understand how deoxyribose works before testing it on humans.