PTD-DBM: A Hair Regeneration Peptide
PTD-DBM is a synthetic peptide developed in South Korea specifically designed to restart hair growth in dormant follicles. People use it because it addresses hair loss at a fundamental biological level—rather than just slowing loss like traditional treatments, it actually reactivates follicles that have stopped growing.
Here's how it works: Your hair follicles go through cycles, like switching between "on" and "off" modes. When they're "on," they grow hair. When they're "off," they rest or shrink. A molecular switch called Wnt/β-catenin controls this, and there's a protein called CXXC5 that acts like a brake on this switch—it keeps follicles stuck in the "off" position by blocking other proteins from turning growth signals back on.
PTD-DBM is engineered to slip into your cells and physically disrupt CXXC5's grip on these growth-controlling proteins. By releasing that brake, it allows the growth signal to flow freely again, essentially flipping dormant follicles back into growth mode. In laboratory studies, this approach has regenerated hair in mice as effectively as minoxidil, and early human testing looks promising. The peptide works especially well when combined with another compound that reinforces the growth signal from a different angle, creating a double-activation effect that jumpstarts stubborn follicles back to life.
Dosage Information
Typical Dose
Topical: 1-3 mM concentration in solution
Frequency
Once or twice daily topical application
Administration
Topical solution applied to scalp
Half-Life
~2 hours
estimatedNotes
Often combined with valproic acid topical solution in research protocols. Limited human clinical data. The peptide must penetrate the scalp to reach follicle stem cells — penetration enhancers may improve efficacy.
Why this matters
Topical Wnt pathway activator; applied directly to scalp.
Where does PTD-DBM sit?
See how this peptide compares across all 150 peptides in our database.
Evidence Score
0.26
Compound Data
Molecular Formula
C124H225N61O28S2
Molecular Weight
3082.60 g/mol
IUPAC Name
(2R)-2-[[(2S)-6-amino-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-6-amino-2-[[(2R)-2-[[(2S,3S)-2-[[(2S)-5-amino-2-[[(2S)-2-[[2-[[(2S,3R)-2-[[(2S)-6-amino-2-[[(2S)-2-[[2-[[2-[[2-[[2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-amino-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]acetyl]amino]acetyl]amino]acetyl]amino]acetyl]amino]-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]hexanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxybutanoyl]amino]acetyl]amino]-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)propanoyl]amino]-5-oxopentanoyl]amino]-3-methylpentanoyl]amino]-3-sulfanylpropanoyl]amino]hexanoyl]amino]-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino]-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]hexanoyl]amino]-3-sulfanylpropanoic acid
PubChem CID
176453931Potential Side Effects
PTD-DBM discussions
Quick Facts
- Administration
- Topical solution applied to scalp
- Typical Dose
- Topical: 1-3 mM concentration in solution
- Frequency
- Once or twice daily topical application
- References
- 0 curated + 47 from PubMed
- Evidence Score
- 0.3 / 100
Frequently Asked Questions about PTD-DBM
What is PTD-DBM?
PTD-DBM is a synthetic peptide that activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hair follicles by disrupting the interaction between Dishevelled (Dvl) proteins and CXXC-type zinc finger protein 5 (CXXC5). It was developed at Yonsei University in South Korea and has shown remarkable hair regeneration effects in preclinical studies — producing hair regrowth comparable to minoxidil in mouse models and showing promising results in early human studies. PTD-DBM represents one of the most mechanistically targeted hair loss interventions developed using peptide technology.
How does PTD-DBM work?
Hair follicle cycling depends critically on Wnt/β-catenin signaling — active Wnt signaling drives follicles into the anagen (growth) phase while its absence allows catagen (regression) and telogen (rest). CXXC5 is a negative regulator of Wnt signaling that binds to Dishevelled proteins and suppresses β-catenin activation. PTD-DBM is designed to penetrate cells (via the protein transduction domain) and block the CXXC5-Dvl interaction freeing Dvl to activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling in follicular stem cells. The result is re-entry of resting follicles into the growth phase and proliferation of hair matrix cells. In mouse studies PTD-DBM combined with valproic acid (a GSK-3β inhibitor) produced complete hair regrowth in shaved and chemotherapy-treated mice within weeks. The combination approach simultaneously activates Wnt from two complementary angles.
What is the recommended dosage for PTD-DBM?
The typical dose is Topical: 1-3 mM concentration in solution. Once or twice daily topical application. Administration: Topical solution applied to scalp. Often combined with valproic acid topical solution in research protocols. Limited human clinical data. The peptide must penetrate the scalp to reach follicle stem cells — penetration enhancers may improve efficacy.
What are the side effects of PTD-DBM?
Limited human safety data. Scalp irritation (uncommon). Contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals (rare)
Questions reflect common community inquiries. This is not medical advice.