Microneedles self-implanting Astragalus polysaccharides-hybridized composite hydrogel combined with minoxidil to enhance in situ anti-androgenetic alopecia.

The study explores the use of microneedles containing Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) and minoxidil to treat androgenetic alopecia. APS, derived from Astragalus membranaceus, promotes hair regeneration but has poor skin absorption. To address this, the researchers developed a composite hydrogel with chemically crosslinked hyaluronic acid and γ-cyclodextrin-modified metal-organic frameworks loaded with minoxidil. This formulation enhances minoxidil's solubility and provides sustained release, while APS improves the mechanical properties of the microneedles and promotes hair follicle cell proliferation. The microneedles significantly improve drug retention and hair growth in mice, suggesting APS as a promising candidate for alopecia treatment.