Dendritic Polyglycerol and N-Isopropylacrylamide Based Thermoresponsive Nanogels as Smart Carriers for Controlled Delivery of Drugs Through the Hair Follicle

The study explored the use of thermoresponsive nanogels, sized between 100-700 nm, for drug delivery through hair follicles. These nanogels were synthesized using N-isopropylacrylamide and dendritic polyglycerol, with a phase transition temperature of 32-37 °C. The research demonstrated that medium to larger nanogels (300-500 nm) effectively penetrated hair follicles, with penetration depth increasing with nanogel size. The release of a model drug, coumarin 6, was significantly enhanced when the temperature was above the nanogels' cloud point. The study used ex vivo porcine ear skin and confocal laser scanning microscopy to track nanogel penetration and drug release, finding no significant difference in follicular penetration between colloidal dispersion and a 2.5% hydroxyethyl cellulose gel.