Compositions and methods for treating hair loss using C16-C20 aromatic tetrahydro prostaglandins

A method for darkening and thickening hair comprising applying to growing hair and skin a composition comprising:

• A) an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of a prostaglandin F analog having the structure
• and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the prostaglandin F analog;
• biohydrolyzable amides, esters, and imides of the prostaglandin F analog;
• optical isomers, diastereomers, and enantiomers of the prostaglandin F analog;
• and combinations thereof;
• wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of CO2H, C(O)NHOH, CO2R5, CH2OH, S(O)2R5, C(O)NHR5, C(O)NHS(O)2R5, and tetrazole;
• R2 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and a lower monovalent hydrocarbon group;
• R3 and R4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, CH3, C2H5, OR10, SR10, and OH;
• with the proviso that both R3 and R4 are not OH;
• R5 is selected from the group consisting of monovalent hydrocarbon groups, substituted monovalent hydrocarbon groups, aromatic groups, substituted aromatic groups, carbocyclic groups, substituted carbocyclic groups, heterogeneous groups, substituted heterogeneous groups, heterocyclic groups, substituted heterocyclic groups, heteroaromatic groups, and substituted heteroaromatic groups;
• X is selected from the group consisting of NR6R7, OR8, SR9, S(O)R9, and S(O)2R9;
• R6, R7, and R8 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, acyl groups, monovalent hydrocarbon groups, substituted monovalent hydrocarbon groups, heterogeneous groups, substituted heterogeneous groups, carbocyclic groups, substituted carbocyclic groups, aromatic groups, substituted aromatic groups, heteroaromatic groups, and substituted heteroaromatic groups;
• R9 is selected from the group consisting of monovalent hydrocarbon groups, substituted monovalent hydrocarbon groups, heterogeneous groups, substituted heterogeneous groups, carbocyclic groups, substituted carbocyclic groups, heterocyclic groups, substituted heterocyclic groups, aromatic groups, substituted aromatic groups, heteroaromatic groups, and substituted heteroaromatic groups;
• R10 is selected from the group consisting of a monovalent hydrocarbon group, a substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, a heterogeneous group, a substituted heterogeneous group, a carbocyclic group, a substituted carbocyclic group, an aromatic group, a substituted aromatic group, a heteroaromatic group, and a substituted heteroaromatic group;
• with the proviso that R10 has 1 to 8 member atoms;
• Y is selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a divalent hydrocarbon group, a sulfur-containing moiety, and a nitrogen-containing group;
• and
• Z is selected from the group consisting of a carbocyclic group, a substituted carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, a substituted heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, a substituted aromatic group, a heteroaromatic group, and a substituted heteroaromatic group;
• and
• B) a carrier.