HAIR GROWTH-INHIBITING AGENT

摘要

An endogenous factor having an inhibitory activity on the growth of hair is identified. A substance having a similar activity of that of the endogenous factor or a substance capable of enhancing the activity or expression of the endogenous factor is screened. By utilizing the physiological activities of the substance, it is possible to provide a hair-removing agent or a hair growth-inhibiting agent. It is found that FGF18 can inhibit the growth of hair. Disclosed is a method for screening a substance having a FGF18-like activity, a substance capable of enhancing the FGF18 activity or a substance capable of enhancing the expression of FGF18 gene and employing the substance as a candidate for a hair growth-inhibiting agent or a hair-removing agent. Also disclosed is a hair growth-inhibiting agent or a hair-removing agent comprising, as an active ingredient, FGF18 and/or a substance having a FGF18-like activity (e.g., a partial peptide of FGF18, an extract from a seaweed Digenea simplex) and/or a substance capable of enhancing the activity or expression of FGF18.