TLDR PEVs improve minoxidil skin penetration, increasing hair growth.
The study investigated the use of penetration enhancer-containing vesicles (PEVs) as carriers for cutaneous delivery of minoxidil. The results showed that PEVs were able to enhance the skin penetration of minoxidil, leading to increased hair growth in vitro. The most effective PEVs contained cineole and were able to deliver a higher total drug amount to the skin in comparison with traditional liposomes and PE-containing ethanolic solutions of the drug. The study suggests that PEVs could be a promising carrier for the topical delivery of minoxidil for the treatment of hair loss. Further studies using different compositions are necessary to prove this suggestion.
85 citations
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January 2007 in “Journal of Drug Targeting” Liposomes better deliver minoxidil for hair loss treatment than niosomes.
397 citations
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February 2004 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Minoxidil boosts hair growth by opening potassium channels and increasing cell activity.
33 citations
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June 1995 in “Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences” More ethanol increases minoxidil delivery, but too much lowers efficiency.
10 citations
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November 1993 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology Venereology and Leprology” A case was reported of a male developing erythema multiforme after using minoxidil solution for androgenetic alopecia. The condition recurred upon reapplication of the topical solution and after taking oral minoxidil, confirming minoxidil as the cause. However, a patch test with minoxidil was negative.
51 citations
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May 2010 in “Journal of Drug Targeting” Transcutol-containing vesicles improve minoxidil's skin penetration and hair growth promotion.
128 citations
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July 2009 in “International Journal of Pharmaceutics” PEVs improve minoxidil skin penetration, increasing hair growth.
85 citations
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January 2007 in “Journal of Drug Targeting” Liposomes better deliver minoxidil for hair loss treatment than niosomes.