Development and Optimization of Finasteride-Cinnamon Oil-Loaded Ethanol-Free Microemulsions for Transdermal Delivery

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

Sureewan Duangjit, Napapat Rattanachithawat, Praneet Opanasopit, Tanasait Ngawhirunpat

finasteride cinnamon oil transdermal delivery microemulsions Tween 20 propylene glycol skin permeation Propecia CNO

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Studysummary This study successfully developed and optimized ethanol-free microemulsion systems for the transdermal delivery of finasteride, showing that the predicted optimal formulations had physicochemical characteristics close to estimated values, without significant damage to treated hair fibers.

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This study successfully developed and optimized ethanol-free microemulsions (MEs) for the transdermal delivery of finasteride (FN) using response surface methodology. The optimal formulation consisted of 11.58% cinnamon oil (CNO), 58.42% surfactant mixture (Tween® 20 and propylene glycol), and 30% water. The formulation demonstrated sufficient chemical potential for enhancing skin permeation of FN. The physicochemical characteristics of the optimized MEs closely matched the predicted values, and no significant damage to hair fibers was observed when treated with the MEs.

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