Treatment Of Androgenic Alopecia Research Articles

Exploring Mesenchymal Stem Cells versus Minoxidil for Androgenic Alopecia Treatment: A detailed Animal-Based Histological and Morphometric Study.

Androgenic alopecia (AGA), a hair loss condition caused by Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binding to hair follicle receptors, negatively impacts quality of life for both men and women. Current treatments like minoxidil and finasteride have limitations, highlighting the need for alternative therapies, such as human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUCB-MSCs). In this study, forty-eight adult male Wistar albino rats (3 months old) were used. The control group (Group I) received no treatment, while the other rats underwent AGA induction via daily subcutaneous testosterone injections (100 mg/kg). These rats developed alopecia and were divided into three groups: AGA (Group II), AGA plus daily minoxidil spray (Group III), and AGA plus a single intradermal injection of HUCB-MSCs (1 ml containing 1x10^5 cells, Group IV). After 4 weeks, the rats were sacrificed, and skin specimens were prepared for histological analysis using H&E, Masson's Trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining for CK 19, VEGF, and TUNEL antibodies. It was shown that HUCB-MSCs treatment reversed structural damage to hair and follicles, normalizing conditions within one week post-injection. The treatment enhanced the anagen phase, suppressed telogen and catagen phases, reduced apoptosis, and increased VEGF and CK 19 immune reactions. Observational follow-up for Groups III and IV revealed that while the minoxidil group experienced significant hair loss after 37 days, the stem cell group exhibited dense and long hair covering the treated area. HUCB-MSC therapy demonstrated superior efficacy over minoxidil with no observed side effects, indicating its potential as a promising alternative for AGA treatment.

Multistage Transdermal Nitric Oxide Delivery System for the Efficient Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

Multistage Transdermal Nitric Oxide Delivery System for the Efficient Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

The Impact of Smoking and Lifestyle Factors on Hair Transplant Outcomes in Patients with Androgenic Alopecia

Background: Hair transplantation is a popular treatment for androgenic alopecia, a common form of hair loss that significantly affects self-esteem and quality of life. However, it is important to note that smoking can potentially have a detrimental impact on the efficacy of this procedure. Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine the influence of smoking, alcohol consumption, and water pipe usage on hair density and growth rate in individuals with alopecia who have undergone hair transplantation at the Jordan Clinic in Tehran, Iran. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 23 smoker and 97 non-smoker patients who underwent hair transplantation at the Jordan Clinic between 2011 and 2013. A convenience sampling method was employed in the study. Data on smoking status, hair growth, and complications were collected and analyzed. The study included 94.2% male and 5.8% female patients. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, version 13. The repeated measures ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis, with a significance level of five percent. Results: The results showed that smokers experienced spontaneous bleeding at the implant site after surgery, resulting in hairless areas following crust formation, a complication not observed in non-smokers (P > 0.05). Smokers also had significantly lower hair density and growth compared to non-smokers (P > 0.05). Additionally, alcohol users demonstrated significantly less hair growth than non-drinkers. Conclusions: Smoking—including cigarettes, hookah, and combined smoking—and alcohol consumption negatively impacted hair transplant outcomes in patients with androgenic alopecia treated at the Jordan Clinic. These findings underscore the importance of addressing lifestyle factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, in the management of androgenic alopecia and hair transplantation.

Facile fabrication of cedrol nanoemulsions with deep transdermal delivery ability and high safety for effective androgenic alopecia treatment

The successful treatment of androgenic alopecia (AGA) hinges on an effective transdermal drug delivery strategy, a challenge that requires urgent attention. In this study, we introduce a novel approach utilizing cedrol nanoemulsions (CD-NEs) for AGA treatment. Our findings demonstrate that cedrol (CD) effectively inhibits the expression of 5α-reductase 2 (5αR2), akin to the FDA-approved drug finasteride, while also surpassing it in terms of promoting cell proliferation. Through formulation optimization, we have developed stable CD-NEs suitable for large-scale production. Experimental and molecular dynamics simulations further reveal that CD-NEs enhance transdermal penetration by altering lipid organization, facilitating CD delivery to deeper skin layers via a trans-epidermal pathway. In vivo studies conducted on AGA model C57BL/6 mice demonstrate that CD-NEs significantly promote hair follicle regeneration, accelerating the transition of hair follicles from the telogen phase to the anagen phase. Moreover, CD-NEs treatment leads to a significant reduction in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in the skin while maintaining stasis levels in serum, underscoring its efficacy in targeting androgenetic pathways with high safety. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on the efficacy and mechanism of action of CD-NEs in hair regeneration, offering valuable insights for future clinical applications in AGA treatment.

Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Probiotic Intake on Androgenic Alopecia.

This study aimed to assess the impact of a combination of probiotic strains of Lactiplantibacillus on the treatment of androgenic alopecia (AGA). To this end, 136 individuals with AGA (62 men and 74 women) aged 18-65 years were enrolled in a double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial. A total of 115 individuals (57 in the probiotic group and 58 in the placebo group) completed this study within a 16-week intervention period. Capillary density, thickness, and length of hair were analyzed before and after the intervention using FotoFinder Trichoscale Pro. In addition, the gut microbiota was assessed by paired-end sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform (2 × 300 bp). At the conclusion of the treatment period, a notable decline (p < 0.05) in the number of telogen hairs was evident in the probiotic group while hair thickness decreased in the placebo group (p < 0.05). However, the remaining variables did not exhibit any statistically significant changes. In the probiotic-treated group, individuals aged less than 37.5 years exhibited a reduction in the number and density of telogen hair (p = 0.0693 and p = 0.0669, respectively) and an increase in hair length (p = 0.0871). Furthermore, a notable decline in the number and density of vellus hair (p < 0.05) was observed, and this was accompanied by no change in the hair thickness. The probiotic-treated group exhibited a significantly higher abundance of Lactobacillus (p-adjusted < 0.05, DEseq2 test) and demonstrated a notable reduction in the number and density of telogen hair, and this was accompanied by an increase in the percentage of anagen hair. The probiotic mixture was well tolerated by the participants, with a treatment adherence rate of 90%. In light of this study's limitations, it can be concluded that a mixture of three strains of Lactiplantibacillus promotes the presence of terminal follicles, preventing their gradual miniaturization, which is a characteristic of AGA.

The synergistic effect of phototherapy and active substances on hair growth

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) typically manifests post-puberty, resulting in decreases in hair density, disruptions in the hair growth cycle, and alterations in hair follicle micro structure. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a key hormone implicated in hair loss, especially on male. In this study, we found that each of arginine (Arg), arterial extract (AE) or biotin tripeptide-1 (BT-1), when combined with low level light therapy (LLLT, at 630 nm, 2 J/cm2), showed the efficacy in enhancing mitochondrial functions, cell proliferation and collagen synthesis in fibroblasts. Additionally, CARRIPOWER (the complexes of AE, BT-1, Arg, and Diaminopyrimidine derivatives), in conjunction with LLLT (630 nm, 2 J/cm2), showed promising results in dermal papilla cells (DPCs). The promising results contained not also inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) and cell pro apoptotic factor (TGF-β2) reduction, but also Wnt pathway inhibition by decreasing DKK1 level, and pro-hair growth factors (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and β-catenin) increase. This innovative combination therapy offers a potential solution for the treatment of AGA, addressing both hormonal and cellular factors involved in hair loss.

Effects of RF Electric Currents on Hair Follicle Growth and Differentiation: A Possible Treatment for Alopecia.

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of alopecia and its treatments involve drugs that have various adverse effects and are not completely effective. Radiofrequency-based therapies (RF) are an alternative for AGA treatment. Although there is increasing clinical evidence of the effectiveness of RF for alopecia, its effects at the tissue and cellular level have not been studied in detail. The objective of this study was to analyze ex vivo the potential effect of RF currents used in capacitive resistive electrical transfer (CRET) therapy on AGA. Hair follicles (HFs) were donated by patients with AGA and treated with CRET. AGA-HFs were exposed in vitro to intermittent 448 kHz electric current in subthermal conditions. Cell proliferation (Ki67), apoptosis (TUNEL assay), differentiation (β-catenin), integrity (collagen and MMP9), thickness of the epidermis surrounding HF, proportion of bulge cells and melanoblasts in AGA-HF were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. CRET increased proliferation and decreased death of different populations of AGA-HF cells. In addition, the melanoblasts increased in bulge and the epidermis surrounding the hair follicle thickened. These results support the effectiveness of RF-based therapies for the treatment of alopecia. However, clinical trials are necessary to know the true effectiveness of CRET therapy and other RF therapies for AGA treatment.

Therapeutic effect of Nepenthes kampotiana Lecomte ethanol extract (Nk-EE) on androgenic alopecia through the inhibition of apoptosis and 5α-reductase activity

There is increasing interest in hair loss treatment because a growing number of people affected. Nepenthes kampotiana Lecomte is known for its anticancer effects, but its potential for preventing hair loss has not been researched. Therefore, this study focused on the hair loss prevention effects of N. kampotiana Lecomte ethanol extract (Nk-EE). The results showed that Nk-EE had a proliferative effect on human follicle dermal papilla cells and inhibited cell death. In vivo experiments using androgenic areata models showed that Nk-EE had a positive effect on a variety of biomarkers such as hair-to-skin ratio, hair type frequency, and hair thickness. The results of this study suggest that Nk-EE has potential as an effective treatment for androgenic alopecia.

Effect of Various Herbal and Chemical Enhancers on Skin Permeability to Cetirizine: A Study of Changes in Rat Skin Cells

Background: Cetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine with anti-allergy and anti-itching properties. The topical formulation of this medicine is used in androgenic alopecia treatment. Due to the hydrophilic nature of cetirizine, its skin absorption is negligible, so to increase its absorption, various enhancers were examined to see which can be used in the design of a topical formulation. Methods: First, the skin was exposed to enhancers, including eucalyptus, menthol, Tween 80, propylene glycol, and oleic acid, for 1 or 2 hours. Then, the permeability parameters of the cetirizine solution and the structural changes of the skin after exposure to enhancers were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. Results: The obtained results show that all used enhancers increased the permeability of the drug cetirizine compared to water. Various mechanisms, such as liquefaction of lipids, destruction of lipid structure, and irreversible denaturation of intracellular keratin, are involved in the increase in drug penetration caused by eucalyptus, mint, Tween 80, propylene glycol, and oleic acid. Conclusions: The results showed that among the studied absorption enhancers, eucalyptus and Tween 80 had the strongest, and propylene glycol had the weakest absorption enhancement effect after 2- and 1-hour pre-contact, respectively.

A Top-Down Design Approach for Generating a Peptide PROTAC Drug Targeting Androgen Receptor for Androgenetic Alopecia Therapy.

While large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) models for protein structure prediction and design are advancing rapidly, the translation of deep learning models for practical macromolecular drug development remains limited. This investigation aims to bridge this gap by combining cutting-edge methodologies to create a novel peptide-based PROTAC drug development paradigm. Using ProteinMPNN and RFdiffusion, we identified binding peptides for androgen receptor (AR) and Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL), followed by computational modeling with Alphafold2-multimer and ZDOCK to predict spatial interrelationships. Experimental validation confirmed the designed peptide's binding ability to AR and VHL. Transdermal microneedle patching technology was seamlessly integrated for the peptide PROTAC drug delivery in androgenic alopecia treatment. In summary, our approach provides a generic method for generating peptide PROTACs and offers a practical application for designing potential therapeutic drugs for androgenetic alopecia. This showcases the potential of interdisciplinary approaches in advancing drug development and personalized medicine.

Stimulation of hair regrowth in an animal model of androgenic alopecia using 2-deoxy-D-ribose.

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) affects both men and women worldwide. New blood vessel formation can restore blood supply and stimulate the hair regrowth cycle. Recently, our group reported that 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR) is 80%-90% as effective as VEGF in the stimulation of neovascularization in in vitro models and in a chick bioassay. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of 2dDR on hair growth. We prepared an alginate gel containing 2dDR, polypropylene glycol, and phenoxyethanol. AGA was developed in C57BL6 mice by intraperitoneally injecting testosterone (TE). A dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-treated group was used as a negative control, a minoxidil group was used as a positive control, and we included groups treated with 2dDR gel and a combination of 2dDR and minoxidil. Each treatment was applied for 20 days. Both groups treated with 2dDR gel and minoxidil stimulated the morphogenesis of hair follicles. H&E-stained skin sections of C57BL/6 mice demonstrated an increase in length, diameter, hair follicle density, anagen/telogen ratio, diameter of hair follicles, area of the hair bulb covered in melanin, and an increase in the number of blood vessels. Masson's trichrome staining showed an increase in the area of the hair bulb covered in melanin. The effects of the FDA-approved drug (minoxidil) on hair growth were similar to those of 2dDR (80%-90%). No significant benefit were observed by applying a combination of minoxidil with 2dDR. We conclude that 2dDR gel has potential for the treatment of androgenic alopecia and possibly other alopecia conditions where stimulation of hair regrowth is desirable, such as after chemotherapy. The mechanism of activity of 2dDR remains to be established.

The efficacy of using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of androgenic alopecia: a literature review

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is currently the primary cause of hair loss in both men and women. It is characterized by a progressive thinning of the hair follicles due to a shortening of the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. The pathophysiology mainly involves the accumulation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a metabolite of testosterone, and a chronic perifollicular inflammatory process. The objective of this study is to evaluate, through a literature review, the validity, protocols, and efficacy of the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of patients with AGA. It is a review conducted in the first half of 2024, using the PubMed and BVS databases, employing Descritores em Ciência e Saúde (alopecia, plasma rico em plaquetas, terapia) and Medical Subject Headings (alopecia, platelet-rich plasma, therapy). Inclusion criteria consisted of: a) articles published between 2022 and 2024; b) written in Portuguese or English; c) full-text articles available for free; d) research focused on PRP therapy for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men. Twelve articles were included in the synthesis. Overall, the articles indicated that despite the need for standardized protocols, the use of PRP as a treatment for AGA shows promising results in the current context. The therapy demonstrated improvements in hair density and patient satisfaction, suggesting its potential as a viable option for managing androgenetic alopecia. Besides being a safe option with minimal side effects, its combination with other therapies, such as minoxidil, has brought beneficial outcomes for patients with this condition. Keywords: Alopecia, Platelet-Rich Plasma, Therapy

Polydopamine Synergizes with Quercetin Nanosystem to Reshape the Perifollicular Microenvironment for Accelerating Hair Regrowth in Androgenetic Alopecia.

Accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their resultant vascular dysfunction in androgenic alopecia (AGA) hinder hair follicle survival and cause permanent hair loss. However, safe and effective strategies to rescue hair follicle viability to enhance AGA therapeutic efficiency remain challenging. Herein, we fabricated a quercetin-encapsulated (Que) and polydopamine-integrated (PDA@QLipo) nanosystem that can reshape the perifollicular microenvironment to initial hair follicle regeneration for AGA treatment. Both the ROS scavenging and angiogenesis promotion abilities of PDA@QLipo were demonstrated. In vivo assays revealed that PDA@QLipo administrated with roller-microneedles successfully rejuvenated the "poor" perifollicular microenvironment, thereby promoting cell proliferation, accelerating hair follicle renewal, and facilitating hair follicle recovery. Moreover, PDA@QLipo achieved a higher hair regeneration coverage of 92.5% in the AGA mouse model than minoxidil (87.8%), even when dosed less frequently. The nanosystem creates a regenerative microenvironment by scavenging ROS and augmenting neovascularity for hair regrowth, presenting a promising approach for AGA clinical treatment.

Acute central serous chorioretinopathy after prolonged application of topical minoxidil: A case report and review of the literature

We report a case of a young man aged 38 years who complained of seeing a black spot in front of his left eye Oculus sinister (OS) for 5 days. He had been applying minoxidil topically for the treatment of androgenic alopecia for 8 months. Both eyes’ Oculus uterque (OU) anterior segments were within normal limits. The OS posterior segment showed subretinal fluid (SRF) in association with a serous pigment epithelium detachment (PED). He was diagnosed with acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) secondary to the prolonged use of topical minoxidil. He was advised to cease minoxidil application as a first line of treatment. He followed up for 3 months, the SRF was observed to decrease at every follow-up, and the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 6/9, N6 to 6/6, N6. CSCR associated with topical minoxidil use is a rare entity, and a treating dermatologist must counsel the patient regarding the same while initiating the treatment.

Cardamonin-loaded liposomal formulation for improving percutaneous penetration and follicular delivery for androgenetic alopecia.

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) has a considerable impact on the physical and mental health of patients. Nano preparations have apparent advantages and high feasibility in the treatment of AGA. Cardamonin (CAR) has a wide range of pharmacological activities, but it has the problems of poor solubility in water and low bioavailability. There are few, if any, researches on the use of nano-loaded CAR to improve topical skin delivery of AGA. In this study, a CAR-loaded liposomal formulation (CAR@Lip and CAR@Lip Gel) was developed and characterized. The prepared CAR@Lip exhibited a uniform and rounded vesicle in size. CAR@Lip and CAR@Lip Gel can significantly improve the cumulative release of CAR. Additionally, CAR@Lip can obviously promote the proliferation and migration of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). Cell uptake revealed that the uptake of CAR@Lip significantly increased compared with the free drug. Furthermore, both CAR@Lip and CAR@Lip Gel groups could markedly improve the transdermal performance of CAR, and increase the topical content of the drug in the hair follicle compared with CAR. The ratchet effect of hair follicles could improve the skin penetration depth of nanoformulations. Notably, Anti-AGA tests in the mice showed that CAR@Lip and CAR@Lip Gel groups could promote hair growth, and accelerate the transition of hair follicles to the growth stage. The anti-androgen effect was revealed by regulating the expression of IGF-1, VEGF, KGF, and TGF-β, participating in SHH/Gli and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. Importantly, the nanoformulations had no obvious skin irritation. Thus, our study showed that CAR-loaded liposomal formulation has potential application in the treatment of AGA.

The Relationship between Seborrheic Dermatitis and Androgenetic Alopecia in Patients Referred to a Skin Clinic in Tehran, Iran: A Retrospective Study

Background: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a common skin problem that generally affects the scalp. SD causes scale-like parts, skin redness, and persistent dandruff, which can also affect the fatty parts of the body. Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is an androgen-dependent hereditary disorder characterized by progressive thinning of hair with various patterns. Objectives: Considering that AGA is probably related to race, genetics, and geographical conditions, and timely treatment of SD and AGA is critical, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between SD and AGA. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on patients with AGA referred to the skin clinic of Rasoul-Akram Hospital in Tehran, Iran, in 2021. Among the mentioned patients, 250 were randomly selected by easy sampling. The patient's age, gender, occupation, marital status, history of skin, hormonal, or systemic disease, medical history, medication history, smoking history, alcohol intake, and family history of hair loss are all required information after obtaining informed consent from the patient. Skin color and face and skin type were recorded by a researcher-made checklist. Then, the patients were examined in terms of SD, and finally, the collected data were analyzed using SPSS software Version 24 and relevant statistical tests. Results: The average age of the studied patients was 35.64 ± 8.11 169 (67.2%) were women, and 81 (32.8%) were men. The highest severity of SD was grade 1 in 116 people (46.6%). There was a significant relationship between the severity of SD and the history of hair loss in the family (P = 0.03). In addition, there was a significant correlation between the pattern of AGA in men and the severity of SD (P &lt; 0.05). The study showed a significant relationship between dandruff symptoms and AGA patterns (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results, this issue should be evaluated with more precision and follow-up due to the relationship between the severity of SD and the AGA pattern. Moreover, eliminating the symptoms of dandruff can help in improving hair loss. In addition, evaluating a person's medical history and family history is essential to determining the pattern of hair loss, preventing its progression, and timely treatment of this problem.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy in the treatment of androgenic alopecia – review

Hair loss is a problem that affects many people around the world. Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of hair loss affecting up to 50% of men and 40% of women over the age of 50. This type of hair loss is mediated by androgens, the strongest of which is dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone influences the weakening hair follicles. The problem of excess DHT and the associated androgenic hair loss may concern people practicing sports, especially aerobic disciplines of moderate and high intensity. In the recent decades, many topical and oral therapies have been introduced to delay and stop hair loss. However, commonly used medications have only a partial and temporary effect, therefore alternative treatment methods are needed. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is known, among other things, for its use in orthopedics. The use of PRP may benefit athletes in the treatment of injuries to tendons, ligaments, muscles and cartilage. Many publications indicate good results with the use of PRP in the treatment of hair loss.&#x0D; The aim of this study is to summarise the published reports on the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on hair loss prevention in people with androgenic alopecia (AGA) and to analyse the papers discussing androgen levels in physically active people.

СРАВНИТЕЛЬНАЯ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ КОМПЛЕКСНОГО ВОССТАНОВИТЕЛЬНОГО ЛЕЧЕНИЯ ПАЦИЕНТОВ С АНДРОГЕННОЙ АЛОПЕЦИЕЙ ПРОДУКТАМИ ПАНТОВОГО МАРАЛОВОДСТВА И ФИЗИОТЕРАПЕВТИЧЕСКИМИ ТЕХНОЛОГИЯМИ

Objective. Comparative assessment of the results of complex restorative treatment of patients with androgenetic alopecia using pantohematogen and darsonvalization. Materials and methods. There were 93 patients under observation who underwent outpatient rehabilitation treatment for androgenic alopecia for 21 days. Two equivalent groups of patients and a group of 30 healthy people were formed. Subjects in the main group (31) were prescribed diet therapy, vitamin therapy, and scalp massage. Additionally, patients took pantohematogen inside and masks of pantohematogen on the scalp. 32 patients in the comparison group (32) received scalp darsonalization physiotherapy against the background of the basic program. Before, after rehabilitation treatment and after 3 months, the patients were examined. Results. The inclusion of pantohematogen in the comprehensive restorative treatment of patients with androgenic alopecia demonstrated statistically more significant effectiveness, which manifested in a decrease in the number of complaints, improvement of microcirculation in the scalp, psychoemotional status, an increase in hemoglobin levels in the blood, restoration of hair texture. The comparison group also showed significant positive dynamics, but less significant. In catamnesis, after 3 months in the main group, there was a decrease in hair loss and an improvement in their growth, and in the comparison group the results were statistically less significant. Conclusion. A comparative evaluation of complex rehabilitation treatment demonstrated statistically more significant effectiveness with the inclusion of pantotherapy in patients in the main group. In the comparison group, whose patients underwent darsonvalization procedures in addition to the basic complex, the results of restorative treatment were statistically less significant.

Targeting Potential of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Finasteride-loaded Nano Lipidic Carriers-infused Topical Gel - In vitro and In vivo Skin Permeation Studies

Background: There is an unmet clinical need to develop topical carriers for finasteride to reduce its systemic side effects in the treatment of androgenic alopecia (AGA). Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles have also emerged as an influential agent in hair biology. Aim: The main focus of the work was to develop a novel formulation to explore the potential of ZnO nanoparticles in combination with NLCs of finasteride (FIN) for topical delivery. Method: ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by precipitation method and were subsequently incorporated within the Carbopol gel. The ZnO nanoparticles and the gel were evaluated for their physicochemical characteristics. In vitro release study was performed for the determination of release of the drugs from the gel and ex vivo study was conducted for the determination of penetration of the NLCs and ZnO nanoparticles into the skin. Result: The particle size of the nanoparticles was found to be 200 nm. The pH, viscosity and spreadability of the gel was observed to be 6.13±2.11, 35,845.3±6.97 cps at 5 rpm and 17.14±2.32 respectively. Ex vivo drug permeation and skin distribution studies of the NLC gel formulations carried on rat dorsal skin indicated 25.763±0.2 μg/cm² and 19.375±1.2 μg/cm² of FIN and ZnO in 12 hr respectively. Conclusion: The results indicated the potential of developed systems for topical drug delivery for treatment of androgenic alopecia.

Co-delivery of minoxidil and tocopherol acetate ethosomes to reshape the hair Follicular Microenvironment and promote hair regeneration in androgenetic alopecia

The most prevalent kind of hair loss is androgenic alopecia (AGA), which is characterized by hair follicle miniaturization and microenvironment dysfunction. Although topical Minoxidil (MXD) was considered to be a safe and effective treatment for AGA, excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lower sulfotransferase activity in the hair follicular microenvironment led to an unsatisfactory treatment of AGA. Here, we developed the ethosome (MTE) load of minoxidil and tocopherol acetate to improve the therapeutic effect of MXD on androgenic alopecia. It could regulate the microenvironment around hair follicles, promote the telogen-to-anagen transition of hair follicles, and boost hair regeneration, thus achieving a synergistic effect of 1 + 1 > 2. The results proved that MTE showed excellent stability, biosafety, and good dermal and follicular permeability in vitro. The hair regeneration ability of AGA model mice showed that the co-delivery ethosome might regulate the microenvironment around the hair follicles and improve hair regeneration in comparison to the commercial minoxidil tincture alone. As a result, the strategy provided a promising new strategy for the treatment of AGA.