Enhanced Skin Permeation of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Entrapped into Surface-Modified Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticles

In the 2014 study, researchers found that surface-modified liquid crystalline nanoparticles (sm-LCN) with chitosan enhanced the skin permeation of finasteride and dutasteride, which are 5α-reductase inhibitors used to treat androgenetic alopecia. The sm-LCNs showed a larger size and positive zeta potential, which contributed to a 1.7- to 4.2-fold increase in drug permeation through porcine skin compared to unmodified LCNs. The study also observed a controlled and delayed drug release from sm-LCNs and confirmed the non-toxicity of the ingredients at concentrations up to 20 µg/ml. The findings suggest that sm-LCNs could improve the topical application of these drugs, maximizing therapeutic effects while minimizing systemic side effects. The research was supported by the Gachon University research fund of 2014.