Microemulsions as Solubilizers and Penetration Enhancers for Minoxidil Release from Gels

The study investigated the use of microemulsions (MEs) as solubilizers and penetration enhancers for minoxidil (MXD) release from gels, focusing on improving drug delivery for hair loss treatments. It found that MEs containing natural surfactants like lecithin and gelatin significantly enhanced MXD retention in the skin, despite not showing a significant effect on drug release in vitro and ex vivo. The study concluded that skin deposition is a more effective measure of penetration enhancer efficacy than drug release tests. A randomized study with 32 men showed that a multimodal ME containing MXD, diclofenac, and tea tree oil improved hair numbers, thickness, and weight. The findings suggested that MEs could enhance MXD delivery and therapeutic efficacy for treating androgenic alopecia.