Evaluation of Olive Oil-Based Formulations Loaded with Baricitinib for Topical Treatment of Alopecia Areata

April 2025 in “ Pharmaceutics ”

Negar Beirampour, Mireia Mallandrich, Paola Bustos-Salgado, Valeri Domínguez-Villegas, Núria Garrós, Roya Mohammadi-Meyabadi, Beatriz Clares, María Nuria Romero Olid, Francisco J. Pérez‐Cano, Marina Girbal, Maria J. Rodríguez-Lagunas, Joaquim Suñer‐Carbó, Ana C. Calpena

Baricitinib alopecia areata olive oil-based formulations hair growth follicular regeneration antioxidant activity skin retention bioavailability BCT

From the encyclopedia

Baricitinib →

JAK inhibitor that reduces inflammation and immune attacks on hair follicles, leading to potential hair regrowth, especially in alopecia areata cases

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Studysummary This study examined three olive oil formulations of baricitinib for topical delivery in treating alopecia areata, finding that Oil A showed the highest skin retention and maintained skin integrity without irritation, suggesting its potential for further investigation.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The study investigates olive oil-based formulations loaded with Baricitinib (BCT) for treating alopecia areata, focusing on three formulations with varying components. Oil A demonstrated the highest skin retention and bioavailability, making it the most promising candidate. The formulations showed stable physicochemical properties, effective antioxidant activity, and favorable release and permeation profiles. In vivo tests on mice indicated that these formulations, particularly Oil A, could promote hair growth and follicular regeneration. The study suggests these formulations, especially Oil A, warrant further clinical evaluation as potential treatments for alopecia areata.

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Research cited in this study

12 / 12 results

research Comparative Efficacy of Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitors and Biologics in Adult Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis

20 citations , January 2024 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This study conducted a meta-analysis and found that among therapies for alopecia areata, baricitinib_4 mg was most likely to be effective, followed by ritlecitinib and ivarmacitinib, while other treatments like dupilumab and secukinumab were less effective.

research Inhibition of T-Cell Activity in Alopecia Areata: Recent Developments and New Directions

4 citations , November 2023 in “Frontiers in immunology”

In this narrative review, researchers outlined the role of T cells in the autoimmune pathogenesis of alopecia areata and highlighted ongoing research into therapeutic pathways, beyond current JAK inhibitors, aimed at developing new treatments for the disease.

research Efficacy and Safety of Baricitinib in Patients With Alopecia Areata: Evidence to Date

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This article discusses baricitinib, a JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor, as an approved and promising treatment for alopecia areata but reports no new clinical results.

research Novel Potential Therapeutic Targets of Alopecia Areata

1 citations , April 2023 in “Frontiers in Immunology”

This review explored recent research on the immune mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for alopecia areata, highlighting the roles of immune-related cells, autocrine and paracrine signaling, as well as factors like adipose-derived stem cells and gut microbiota in disease pathogenesis.

research Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata with Baricitinib

25 citations , October 2019 in “JAAD Case Reports”

This article discusses the role of interleukin-15 and Janus kinase inhibitors in alopecia areata based on a murine model and reports no new experimental results.

research Pathomechanisms of Immune-Mediated Alopecia

45 citations , April 2019 in “International Immunology”

This review discusses the mechanisms behind alopecia areata and primary cicatricial alopecia and reports no new clinical results, aiming to guide the development of targeted treatments.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

290 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical evaluation, and pathogenesis of alopecia areata and highlights recent advancements, but it does not report new clinical findings.

research Reversal of Alopecia Areata Following Treatment With the JAK1/2 Inhibitor Baricitinib

184 citations , February 2015 in “EBioMedicine”

This study observed that baricitinib treatment led to significant improvement in a patient's alopecia areata symptoms and suggests further clinical trials to explore its potential as a treatment.

research The Autoimmune Basis of Alopecia Areata: A Comprehensive Review

162 citations , October 2014 in “Autoimmunity reviews”

This review discusses alopecia areata, highlighting its autoimmune aspects, environmental triggers, and current treatment options, but reports no new clinical results; recent studies suggest JAK pathway intervention may offer therapeutic potential.

research Alopecia Areata Is Driven by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Is Reversed by JAK Inhibition

701 citations , August 2014 in “Nature medicine”

This study found that JAK inhibitors promote hair regrowth in both mice and human alopecia areata cases by blocking key immune pathways involved in disease development.

research Killing Two Birds with One Stone: Oral Tofacitinib Reverses Alopecia Universalis in a Patient with Plaque Psoriasis

185 citations , June 2014 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This case report describes complete hair regrowth in a patient with alopecia universalis and improved psoriasis after treatment with the oral Janus kinase inhibitor, tofacitinib.

research The Histopathology of Alopecia Areata in Vertical and Horizontal Sections

19 citations , December 2001 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This study reports that horizontal sections of scalp biopsies improve the diagnosis of alopecia areata, especially when characteristic inflammatory infiltrates are missing.