Hair loss is undesirable for many men — and women — because one’s hairstyle is often closely tied to their self-confidence. And while some people embrace it, others wish they could regrow their lost strands. At present, the nature of research is such that finding new treatments is a slow and long process. With the development of artificial intelligence that is predicted to influence our lives in many ways, could this be used to find new treatments in the future?
Now, researchers reporting in ACS’ Nano Letters have used artificial intelligence (AI) to predict compounds that could neutralize baldness causing reactive oxygen species in the scalp. Using the best candidate, they constructed a proof-of-concept micro-patch that effectively regenerated hair on mice.
When the levels of oxygen free radicals are too high, they can overwhelm the body’s antioxidant enzymes that typically keep them in check. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is one of these enzymes, and researchers have created SOD mimics called “nanozymes.” But so far, those that have been reported aren’t very good at removing oxygen free radicals.
Chinese researchers wanted to see whether machine learning, a form of AI, could help them design a better nanozyme for treating hair loss. They tested machine-learning models with 91 different transition-metal, phosphate and sulfate combinations, and the AI predicted a specific one that could be most effective nanozyme.
They then created it and tested this on mice and discovered that within 2 weeks, their hair grew thicker.
The researchers say that their study both produced a nanozyme treatment for regenerating hair in lab mouse models, and indicated the potential for computer-based methods for use in the design of future nanozyme therapeutics.