A New Way to Fight Hair Loss: Stevioside and Minoxidil Combination
EntranceWhile FDA-approved minoxidil has been a prominent solution for years in the fight against hair loss, this product has its limitations. Limited water solubility and skin irritation compromise its effective results. However, the scientific world stevioside The company shares key findings demonstrating that a natural sweetener called methylphenidate (CAP) can be used as a new delivery system in conjunction with minoxidil. This innovation aims to enhance the drug's effects by delivering it directly to hair follicles via microneedle patches.
Origin of the study A study conducted by researchers from China Pharmaceutical University and the University of Sydney shows that stevioside forms micelles, increasing the drug's delivery and retention to the scalp. The results, published in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials, reveal striking results in mouse studies. These findings could pave the way for a new treatment for hair loss and offer a significant potential addition to existing treatments.
Drug Delivery System: How Do Microneedle Patches Work?
Microneedles, each approximately 600 micrometers long, penetrate the outer layer of the skin and deliver the medication directly to the hair follicles. This method offers the following advantages:
- Direct targeting: 85% release of the drug into the hair follicles reduces systemic losses and increases treatment effectiveness.
- High permanence: Approximately 18% persistence on the skin creates a significant difference compared to standard solutions.
- Strong impact comparisonCompared to the standard 2% minoxidil solution, the patches appear to achieve 68% penetration and 8,4% persistence.
The role of stevioside Stevioside, thanks to its affinity for water, acts as a carrier for microneedles. This structure increases minoxidil's limited water solubility by 18-fold, providing a more stable drug load. Furthermore, its vasodilating effect can increase blood flow to the scalp, improving nutrient and oxygen uptake by the roots and promoting growth.
What Do the Results Say in Mice?
In a testosterone-injected hair loss model, the patch-treated group showed significant new hair growth by day 14. The traditional solution group achieved the same effect only after day 21. By day 35, the patched mice had a hair coverage of 6,4 square centimeters, compared to 2,2 square centimeters in the solution group. These findings suggest that the patches offer a significant advantage in promoting hair growth.
Strong side effects and safetyStevioside's history of safe use stems from its long-standing approval as a food additive. However, safety and tolerability studies for the new drug delivery system are planned, including human studies. Progress to clinical phases will provide clear data on dosage and long-term effects.
Potential Future Applications
Stevioside's vasodilating effects and micellar transport capacity may not be limited to hair loss. This mechanism also has applicability to the transport of poorly soluble substances, such as cancellers. Furthermore, stevioside's perceived safety could facilitate the development of new treatments.
Conclusion and Preface
While based solely on animal studies, the current findings clearly demonstrate the potential of stevioside-enhanced microneedle patches to enhance minoxidil therapy. This approach offers a drug delivery system that could reduce side effects and increase efficacy in hair loss treatment. With the completion of future human studies, this technology could find clinical application as an innovative treatment focused on hair follicles.
