Plant Nanovesicles Integrate Bioactivity and Transdermal Finasteride Delivery for Androgenetic Alopecia

This study addresses androgenetic alopecia (AGA) by developing biomimetic nanovesicles derived from the medicinal herb Platycladi cacumen (PcNs) for transdermal delivery of finasteride (FIN), aiming to reduce systemic side effects associated with oral administration. The PcNs enhanced skin permeation and drug retention, reduced oxidative stress, and effectively reversed hair follicle miniaturization in a testosterone-induced AGA mouse model. FIN-loaded PcNs (FIN-PcNs) demonstrated superior efficacy in hair regrowth compared to minoxidil by scavenging reactive oxygen species, modulating inflammatory pathways, and upregulating genes related to hair regeneration. This plant-derived nanovesicle platform offers a promising, safe, and effective strategy for AGA treatment, highlighting the potential of plant-based nanocarriers in dermatology.