Hair Wnt Pathway Activating Peptide (CXXC5-Dvl Disruptor)Not FDA-approved · research compound

PTD-DBM

Evidence: Studied in humans. Example dose: finalize with a provider. Not a fact-check stamp.

1mg/mL formulation – applied to scalp Topical Daily

Hair Follicle Stem Cell StimulatorKorean Cosmeceutical ResearchResearch Chemical (no FDA approval)

PTD-DBM (Protein Transduction Domain - Dishevelled Binding Motif) is a synthetic fusion peptide developed by South Korean researchers (notably the Choi group at Yonsei University) for hair regrowth applications. The fusion combines a protein transduction domain (PTD) for cell membrane penetration with a Dishevelled Binding Motif (DBM) that disrupts the CXXC5-Dishevelled (Dvl) interaction. CXXC5 is an endogenous inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in hair follicles - blocking the CXXC5-Dvl interaction de-represses Wnt signaling and stimulates hair follicle stem cells.

Quick Start

Route

Topical scalp application

Start low

1mg/mL Topical

Frequency

Daily

Timing

Independent

Starting dose. 1mg/mL — Formulation

Apply to scalp after washing, leave on overnight. Combination with other hair therapies (minoxidil, finasteride, copper peptides) is common.

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Start here. Every protocol below is ordered lowest-first. Begin at the smallest effective dose, hold about a week to assess tolerance, and step up only if needed.

Tiered Protocols · lowest first

Conservative start

1mg/mL formulation · Topical scalp application · Daily

conservative starter

1mg/mL formulation

Daily

Expert

Topical Hair (Wnt) Repair

applied to scalp · Topical · Daily

anecdotal · community

Cell-penetrating peptide that disrupts CXXC5-Dishevelled to activate Wnt/beta-catenin hair-follicle signaling; mouse data only, often combined with valproic acid topically. No human trials.

applied to scalp

Daily

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How it works

PTD-DBM functions through Wnt/β-catenin pathway de-repression in hair follicles:

CXXC5 Inhibition

CXXC5 is a zinc-finger protein that binds Dishevelled (Dvl) and antagonizes Wnt signaling. In hair follicles, elevated CXXC5 expression contributes to androgenetic alopecia by suppressing Wnt-driven hair cycle activation.

DBM Domain

The Dishevelled Binding Motif competes with CXXC5 for Dvl binding - displacing CXXC5 from Dvl and freeing Wnt signaling to proceed normally.

Wnt/β-Catenin Activation

With CXXC5 inhibition removed, Wnt ligands (Wnt3a, Wnt5a, etc.) more effectively stabilize β-catenin in hair follicle stem cells. β-catenin nuclear translocation drives transcription of hair cycle genes.

PTD Penetration

The protein transduction domain (often based on HIV TAT or similar cell-penetrating sequences) enables PTD-DBM to cross keratinocyte membranes and reach hair follicle stem cells when applied topically.

Hair Cycle Re-Entry

Net effect is conversion of dormant (telogen-phase) hair follicles into active growth (anagen-phase). In androgenetic alopecia models, PTD-DBM treatment accelerates anagen entry and produces measurable hair density increase.

Topical Primary Route

Designed for topical scalp application. Systemic administration is uncommon and not the design intent.

What to expect

Early

Days 1–7

Weeks 1-4: minimal subjective change.

Mid

Weeks 2–4

Weeks 4-12: reduced shedding, subtle thickness improvements.

Later

Weeks 4–12

Weeks 12-24: visible hair density increase if responsive.

Evidence

HumanPresent

AnimalPresent

In-vitroPresent

Each reference below was re-fetched from its PubMed record, and the quoted sentence was confirmed to appear in that abstract and to support the claim it sits under. Follow any of them to read the source.

In this study, the authors identified that their novel pro-regenerative material, pyrogallol-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA-PG) patches in combination with protein transduction domain-fused Dishevelled (Dvl)-binding motif (PTD-DBM), a peptide inhibiting the CXXC-type zinc finger protein 5 (CXXC5)-Dvl interaction, promoted regenerative wound healing in mice.

In this study, the authors identified that their novel pro-regenerative material, pyrogallol-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA-PG) patches in combination with protein transduction domain-fused Dishevelled (Dvl)-binding motif (PTD-DBM), a peptide inhibiting the CXXC-type zinc finger protein 5 (CXXC5)-Dvl interaction, promoted regenerative wound healing in mice.

Adhesive Hydrogel Patch-Mediated Combination Drug Therapy Induces Regenerative Wound Healing through Reconstruction of Regenerative Microenvironment. Advanced healthcare materials · 2023 · PMID 36854308

Evidence scope. Mouse wound-healing formulation; not topical scalp treatment or hair-regrowth dosing evidence.

Claims we could not support

No abstract we checked supports these for this molecule at this route. That is not the same as saying they are false — it marks where the evidence is missing.

Dose/route: 1mg/mL formulation via Topical scalp application, Daily. No checked live PubMed abstract supported this complete molecule/formulation/route/dose/frequency combination.

Primary safety claim: Mild scalp irritation. No checked live abstract directly established this as the primary concern for the card's exact formulation and regimen.

Side effects & safety

Commonly reported

Mild scalp irritation
Mild scalp redness or tingling

Less common & notes

Allergic reactions to peptide or formulation excipients.
Long-term safety data limited to Korean clinical context.
Wnt pathway activation theoretical concern in active malignancy (Wnt drives many cancers) - relative caution.

Pharmacokinetics

Illustrative plasma concentration · 17 h

Half-life

Hours topical; cellular effects accumulate

Peak · Tmax

Topical 1-3 hours

Elimination

Hair effects build over weeks

Bioavailability

Topical via PTD-mediated cell penetration

Duration of action

Cumulative hair effects over 12-24 weeks

Clearance

Local proteolysis

Storage. Refrigerate. Reconstituted topical formulations: 21-28 days.

Regulatory status

Not FDA-approved. Korean cosmeceutical and research-chemical context. Sold as research compound for off-label hair use.

Put it to work

Calculate, log & track

Open PTD-DBM straight into OnePin with your vial and dose pre-filled, then let it handle the syringe math and remind you before the vial runs out.

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Go deeper

The guide & community

The complete PTD-DBM walkthrough, real protocol discussion and coaching live inside the BlessUp community on Skool.

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