What does 2-Deoxy-D-ribose gel do?

2-Deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR) is a deoxypentose, which is a small molecule sugar. 2dDR was first identified in the structure of DNA in 1930, and its degradation product was later discovered when thymine phosphorylase broke down thymine to thymine. Previous studies have reported that 2dDR has pharmacological effects such as promoting angiogenesis and wound healing; promoting proliferation, migration and tube formation of cardiovascular cells; inhibiting hypoxia-induced apoptosis; inducing Matrigel invasion; stimulating EC proliferation and migration; activating NOX2, which triggers NF-κB and upregulates VEGFR2. Compared with VEGF, 2dDR has angiogenic properties, better storage stability, low cost, and easy to incorporate into a variety of established wound dressings, therefore, 2dDR could be an attractive alternative to VEGF.

For stimulating wound healing

2-Deoxy-D-ribose Alginate Gel ( known as 2dDR-SA Hydrogel) is prepared from sodium alginate, propylene glycol, 2-phenoxyethanol, and 2dDR. 2dDR is able to promote wound healing by stimulating angiogenesis. Alginate hydrogel is an ideal vehicle for the delivery of bioactive agents that promote wound healing. When the 2dDR-SA hydrogel was placed in PBS at 37°C, almost 92% of the 2dDR was released within 7 days. Cellular assays also showed that 2dDR-SA hydrogel did not inhibit metabolic activity or cell proliferation, reaching 90% and 98% of the control within 7 days, respectively. Most importantly, it also exhibited antimicrobial activity against E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA, which was closely related to the stabiliser 2-phenoxyethanol in the hydrogel.

In addition, 2dDR-SA hydrogel showed significant stimulation of angiogenesis in the chorioallantoic membrane assay. The results of the wound healing potential study on full-thickness wounds in rats also showed accelerated wound healing. This suggests that 2dDR-SA hydrogel may be useful for a variety of epidermal wounds, including chronic wound care.

Stimulates hair regrowth and helps treat alopecia areata

In in vitro models and chick bioassay studies, 2dDR was shown to stimulate neovascularisation 80-90% as effectively as vascular endothelial growth factor . The formation of new blood vessels restores blood supply and stimulates the hair regeneration cycle. Therefore, 2dDR may have a role in stimulating hair regeneration. In a study comparing 2dDR gel (an alginate gel containing 2dDR, polypropylene glycol and phenoxyethanol) with minoxidil (a drug widely used for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia), the researchers found that both groups treated with 2dDR gel and minoxidil stimulated the morphogenesis of hair follicles. In addition, tissue section results also showed an increase in follicle length, diameter, follicle density, anagen/neuperagen ratio, follicle diameter, melanin-covered hair bulb area, and an increase in the number of blood vessels in both groups. Although the FDA-approved drug (minoxidil) had a similar effect on hair growth as 2dDR (80%-90%), the combination of minoxidil and 2dDR had no significant effect. This suggests that 2dDR gel has potential for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and may also be used to treat other alopecia conditions where stimulation of hair regrowth is desired, such as post-chemotherapy alopecia.

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