Chitosan-Decorated Polystyrene-b-Poly(Acrylic Acid) Polymersomes as Novel Carriers for Topical Delivery of Finasteride

November 2013 in “ European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences ”

Gustavo Amadeu Micke, Ledilege Cucco Porto, Andréa Granada, Monika Piazzon Tagliari, Marcos Antonio Segatto Silva, Cláudia Maria Oliveira Simões, Redouane Borsali, Valdir Soldi

chitosan polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid) polymersomes finasteride topical delivery hair loss dermis epidermis Propecia

Studysummary This study examined different polymersome systems for topical finasteride delivery and found that chitosan-decorated C7 polymersomes may enhance skin retention and provide controlled drug release compared to non-decorated systems in laboratory settings.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The study investigated the use of chitosan-decorated polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid) polymersomes as carriers for topical delivery of finasteride, a drug used to treat hair loss. The addition of chitosan to the surface of the particles led to an increase in particle size and increased drug retention and lag time. The C7 polymersomes decorated with chitosan were found to be the most appropriate for topical applications, providing high finasteride retention in the dermis and epidermis while allowing some control of drug release. The study suggests that chitosan-decorated polymersomes could be a promising carrier for topical delivery of finasteride for hair loss treatment.

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