The Role of Labrasol in the Enhancement of the Cutaneous Bioavailability of Minoxidil in Phospholipid Vesicles

The study investigated the impact of Labrasol® concentration and preparation methods on the characteristics and skin delivery performance of phospholipid vesicles containing minoxidil. Penetration Enhancer-containing Vesicles (PEVs) were prepared using Labrasol® and Phospholipon® 50, incorporating 2% minoxidil. The vesicles, around 100 nm in size and negatively charged (~ -60 mV), showed good minoxidil incorporation (up to 74%) and stability. Ex vivo tests on newborn pig skin demonstrated improved local accumulation of minoxidil, influenced by Labrasol® concentration and its phase of incorporation. The study concluded that PEVs enhanced skin drug transport, suggesting potential for treating hair growth disorders by increasing minoxidil bioavailability and reducing transdermal permeation.