Design and Evaluation of Hydrogel-Thickened Microemulsion for Topical Delivery of Minoxidil
October 2013
TLDR The new hydrogel and microemulsion could be better for hair loss treatment than current solutions.
The study aimed to improve the topical delivery of minoxidil by developing microemulsions and microemulsion-based hydrogel systems (MEHs) to increase percutaneous penetration and reduce the need for repeated applications. Using oleic acid, Tween 80, and polyethyleneglycol 200, the researchers optimized the formulations and evaluated them for various parameters, including drug content, viscosity, pH, permeation, skin irritation, and stability. The microemulsion F4 showed sustained drug release over 24 hours and was incorporated into a hydrogel for comparison with a marketed solution. The microemulsion and MEH demonstrated controlled drug release with no dermatological reactions and were stable on storage, suggesting they could be more effective for hair loss treatment than existing solutions.
