Simultaneous Effects of Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol Succinate on Local Hair Growth Promotion and Systemic Absorption of Topically Applied Minoxidil in a Mouse Model
TLDR 0.5% TPGS boosts hair growth with minoxidil, but 2% TPGS increases minoxidil absorption.
This study investigated the effects of tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) on hair growth and systemic absorption of topically applied minoxidil in C57BL/6J mice. It was found that adding 0.5% TPGS enhanced hair proliferation, but increasing TPGS to 2% reduced this effect. The study showed minimal variability in hair growth promotion with different solvent formulations when 0.5% TPGS was used. No clear relationship was found between hair growth and sulfotransferase activity. Plasma concentrations of minoxidil were higher with 2% Regaine compared to minoxidil formulations with TPGS, and a higher TPGS amount (2%) tended to increase minoxidil plasma concentration.
