Formulation and Physicochemical Characterization of a Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Gel Combining Minoxidil and Finasteride for the Treatment of Alopecia in Prospective Hajj Pilgrims

The study focuses on developing a Nanostructured Lipid Carrier (NLC) gel combining Minoxidil and Finasteride for treating androgenic alopecia, particularly in prospective Hajj pilgrims who face hair loss due to extreme environmental conditions. The NLC gel formulation uses solid lipid monostearin and liquid lipid Miglyol 808 at an 8:2 ratio, with Carbopol 940 as the gel base. Physicochemical evaluations showed that the formulation met desired criteria, including a particle size of less than 1000 nm, pH between 5.5 and 6.0, entrapment efficiency over 80%, and optimal spreadability. This NLC gel offers a practical and effective alternative for managing hair loss under extreme conditions.