Transferosomes Versus Transethosomes for the Dermal Delivery of Minoxidil: Preparation and In Vitro/Ex Vivo Appraisal

September 2022 in “ Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology ”

Ayat Allam, Dina Fathalla, Mohamed Safwat, Ghareb M. Soliman

minoxidil androgenic alopecia transferosomes transethosomes drug entrapment efficiency skin permeability skin deposition oleic acid stratum corneum Rogaine

From the encyclopedia

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

oleic acid →

Studysummary This study reported that encapsulating minoxidil in transferosomes and transethosomes can enhance skin permeability and drug retention compared to its conventional formulation, potentially increasing efficacy in androgenic alopecia treatment while reducing side effects, especially when transethosomes contain oleic acid. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study encapsulated minoxidil, a drug used for androgenic alopecia treatment, into transferosomes and transethosomes to enhance its efficacy and minimize side effects. The particle size of transethosomes (69.8 ± 1.4 to 167.4 ± 16.7 nm) was significantly smaller than that of transferosomes (148.0 ± 0.3 to 364.2 ± 5.0 nm). However, drug entrapment efficiency was lower for transethosomes (23.7 ± 3.2 to 47.2 ± 1.3%) compared to transferosomes (77.0 ± 1.3 to 79.2 ± 0.1%). Both transferosomes and transethosomes showed enhanced drug skin permeability (2.84- and 3.36-fold respectively) and higher drug skin deposition compared to the drug hydroalcoholic solution. Transethosomes containing oleic acid had the highest permeability through the skin, highest deposition in deep skin layers, and lowest deposition in stratum corneum, suggesting they might improve minoxidil efficacy in treating androgenic alopecia and reduce its side effects.

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