Minoxidil-encapsulated poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles with hair follicle delivery properties prepared using W/O/W solvent evaporation and sonication.

BACKGROUND

Nanoparticles with a diameter of 100-150 nm prepared using poly(lactide-co-glycolide) can be delivered to hair follicles. Moreover, it was shown that drug release from nanoparticles was prolonged by using poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLLGA).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to prepared minoxidil-encapsulated PLLGA nanoparticles and accumulate minoxidil in hair follicles utilizing its drug delivery properties for effective treatment of male and female androgenetic alopecia.

METHODS

Minoxidil-encapsulated PLLGA nanoparticles were prepared using W/O/W solvent evaporation and sonication, and the ability of PLLGA nanoparticles to deliver to hair follicles was evaluated by in vivo transdermal delivery study using C3H/He mice and tape stripping and cyanoacrylate skin surface biopsy.

RESULTS

Eight hours after administration of samples, minoxidil-encapsulated PLLGA nanoparticles delivered 3.1 times more minoxidil in stratum corneum and 2.5 times more in hair follicles r compared to minoxidil aqueous solution. In addition, we found that 4.8% of the dose of minoxidil-encapsulated PLLGA nanoparticles were delivered to the hair follicles.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, it was shown that nanoparticulation using PLLGA7510 suppressed minoxidil release from nanoparticles and improved drug delivery amount to hair follicles.