Pentapeptide-20 is a synthetic peptide with the sequence Gly-Pro-Ile-Gly-Ser (GPIGS) used in specialized applications as a hair growth-stimulator. It stimulates the proliferation of hair bulb keratinocytes and extends the hair shaft during the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle.
Pentapeptide-20 has been discovered by screening 298 types of substances produced by various bacteria. Researchers identified a specific hair bulb growth factor produced by Bacillus sp. M18. The active component was isolated and identified as the GPIGS-peptide.
In vitro and in vivo studies showed that Pentapeptide-20 promotes the growth of hair bulb keratinocytes by activating the PI-3K/Akt signaling pathway, specifically increasing Akt phosphorylation. In human and animal hair follicle models, the peptide significantly stimulated hair shaft elongation and significantly accelerated hair regrowth.
A 4-month double-blind clinical study on 22 Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) found that Pentapeptide-20 significantly increased the proportion of thick hair and decreased the proportion of vellus hair. No adverse dermatological effects or treatment-related side effects were reported during the study.
