Formulation and Evaluation of Valproic Acid Microemulsions for Enhanced Transfollicular Delivery in Guinea Pig Skin

November 2024 in “ Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology ”

Anayatollah Salimi, Sirous Jafarian, A. Salimi, Saeed Mohammad Soleymani

valproic acid microemulsion transfollicular delivery follicular pathway surfactant cosurfactant skin permeation

🚨 The study involves transfollicular delivery, which is somewhat related to hair and scalp health, but it primarily focuses on valproic acid delivery in guinea pig skin, not directly on hair loss or androgen-related treatments.

Studysummary This study found that valproic acid-loaded microemulsion formulations enhanced skin penetration pathways in guinea pigs compared to an aqueous solution, with composition elements like oil content and surfactant ratios significantly affecting drug delivery performance.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The study developed valproic acid (VPA) microemulsions (MEs) to enhance transfollicular delivery in guinea pig skin, aiming to improve hair regeneration. Eight MEs were formulated and tested for solubility, stability, drug release, and skin permeability. Results indicated that MEs significantly improved VPA penetration through both epidermal and follicular pathways, with higher surfactant-to-cosurfactant ratios enhancing follicular delivery. The MEs showed controlled release profiles, with 32%-54% of VPA released over 24 hours, suggesting potential for effective drug depot formation in the skin. These findings highlight the potential of MEs for developing topical VPA formulations for hair loss treatment, with future research needed to optimize compositions and assess long-term efficacy and safety.

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