<p>Drug Delivery System Based On Minoxidil Nanoparticles Promotes Hair Growth In C57BL/6 Mice</p>

Abstract

PurposeWe designed formulations based on minoxidil (MXD) nanoparticles (N-MXD) and examined whether N-MXD can increase drug delivery into the follicles. In addition, we investigated the effect of N-MXD on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice.MethodsN-MXD (1%) was prepared as follows: methylcellulose, p-hydroxyalkylbenzoates, mannitol, and MXD were dispersed in purified water and milled using zirconia beads under refrigeration (5500 rpm, 30 s×15 times, intermittent milling). C57BL/6 mice were used to evaluate hair-growth effects. The expression levels of mRNA and protein for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were determined by real-time PCR and ELISA methods, respectively.ResultsThe ratio of solid-MXD was approximately 60% in N-MXD, and the MXD nanoparticles (90–300 nm) were oblong in shape. For the design of nanomedicines, usability is important. Therefore, we measured the stability and toxicity after N-MXD treatment. No agglutination of MXD nanoparticles was detected for 2 weeks, and no redness or MXD powder residue was observed in the skin after repetitive applications of N-MXD. Next, we evaluated hair-growth effects by N-MXD treatment. MXD contents in the skin tissue from N-MXD were lower than for commercially available MXD formulations (CA-MXD). Conversely, MXD contents in the hair bulbs were higher for N-MXD than for CA-MXD, and the drug efficacy of N-MXD was also higher than that of CA-MXD. In addition, the mRNA and protein levels of IGF-1 and VEGF were enhanced by the repetitive application of N-MXD and CA-MXD, and the enhanced IGF-1 and VEGF levels were significantly higher for N-MXD than for CA-MXD.ConclusionWe designed a novel nanomedicine based on MXD nanoparticles and showed that N-MXD can deliver MXD into hair bulbs via hair follicles and that the therapeutic efficiency for hair growth is higher than for CA-MXD (solution type).

Dermal exosomes containing miR-218-5p promote hair regeneration by regulating β-catenin signaling

“…Minoxidil exerts a vasodilator effect on hair follicles, leading directly to the proliferation of follicle cells ( 33 ). On the treated side, 5% minoxidil promoted the expression of Ki67 to 37.2% on day 10, but not β-catenin (2.3%) nor CD133 (7.2%), which suggests that the proliferation and growth of whole hair follicle cells were promoted nonspecifically.…”

A Literature Review of the Microneedle Therapy System for Hair Loss

“…C57BL/6 mice were the animal model used to evaluate hair growth effects. The dorsal hair of C57BL/6 mice has a timesynchronized growth cycle and truncal pigmentation that is produced only during the anagen phase of hair growth [23]. Animal models for AA and AGA were not used in this literature review.…”

Topical Minoxidil-Loaded Nanotechnology Strategies for Alopecia

“…In the present context of AGA treatment, Nagai and co-workers developed zircon-based nanoparticles for the delivery of MXD, which have promoted VEGF and IGF-1 gene expression and their respective mRNA levels. Consequently, significant hair growth with increased hair bulb retention, with no signs of erythema or inflammation, were observed [45] (Tables 1 and 2).…”