Inhibitors of proteasomal activity for stimulating hair growth

1. A method to stimulate hair growth in a subject which method comprises administering to the subject benefited by the stimulation of hair growth an effective amount of a composition comprising a statin compound of the formula:

wherein X in each of formulas (1) and (2) represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene, alkenylene, or alkynylene linker of 2–6C;

Y represents one or more carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings;

R′ represents a cation, H or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 1–6C.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein when Y represents more than one ring, the rings are fused.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound is of the formula:

wherein X is unsubstituted.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein X is selected from the group consisting of—CH 2 CH 2 —; —CH═CH—; and —C≡C—.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein Y is of the formula:

wherein n is an integer ranging from 0 to the maximum permitted ring substitution.

wherein R 1 is unsubstituted alkyl (1–6C) or alkyl (1–6C) substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxy. alkoxy, alkylthiol, phenyl, phenylalkyl, and halo;

each R 2 is independently OH, ═O or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl (1–4C).

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein Y is of the formula

or a stereoisomer thereof,

wherein R 1 and R 2 are as defined in claim 5 ;

R 3 is H, hydroxy, or alkoxy (1–6C); or

Y is of the formula:

wherein K comprises a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system which may optionally be spaced from the linkage position shown in formula (7) or (8) by a linker of 1–2C,

R 5 is H or substituted or unsubstituted linear, branched or cyclic alkyl, and

R′ represents a cation, H or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 1–6C.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein Y is of the formula 4(g) or a stereoisomer or mixture of stereoisomers thereof.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein R 1 is alkyl (4–5 C).

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein each R 2 is independently H, methyl or hydroxy.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein each of R 2 is independently H or methyl.

11. The method of claim 6 , wherein Y is of formula (7).

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein K is a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aromatic system.

13. The method of claim 6 , wherein Y is of formula (8).

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein X is selected from the group consisting of—CH 2 CH 2 —; —CH═CH—; and —C≡C—.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein said compound is lovastatin, mevastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, or pravastatin in hydrolyzed or unhydrolyzed form.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the condition to be treated is selected from the group consisting of male pattern baldness, alopecia caused by chemotherapy, hair thinning due to aging, hormonal disorders, and genetic disorders.

17. The method of claim 1 , which further comprises administering to the subject one or more additional agents that promote tissue growth or infiltration.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the additional agent is selected from the group consisting of an epidermal growth factor, a fibroblast growth factor, a platelet-derived growth factor, a transforming growth factor, a parathyroid hormone, a leukemia inhibitory factor, and an insulin-like growth factor.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a non-human mammal.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the benefit is primarily cosmetic.

22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound is administered parenterally.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the compound is administered subcutaneously.

24. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound is administered transdermally.

25. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound is administered topically.