Abstract:
Aminexil (AMX) is considered to be one of the most widely used hair growth promoters. Nanostructured lipid carriers
(NLC) are employed to increase the permeation of both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs. Aminexil nanostructured lipid
carrier (NLC) designed by pre-emulsion/ultrasonication method was utilized for alopecia treatment. For selecting optimum
excipients, a solubility study was executed in liquid lipids, solid lipids, surfactants, and co-surfactants. A 23
full factorial
design was utilized for NLC optimization. Characterization of the developed formulas was performed. The penetration of the
optimized formula across cuticle tissues was studied using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). AMX showed high
solubility in glyceryl monostearate (GMS) and stearic acid, 28.87±2.17 and 58.06±2.227 mg/g, respectively. The results of
physicochemical characterization showed that formula A7 was the optimized one. It is composed of GMS (solid lipid), oleic
acid:garlic oil (1:1 v/v) (liquid lipid), and a surfactant/co-surfactant mixture (Cremophor EL/Transcutol HP). The particle
size (PS) was 238.0±2.13 nm, entrapment efciency (EE) 100.535±6.73%, and zeta potential (ZP)−29.3±0.93 mv. Ex
vivo permeation study demonstrates the potential of AMX-NLC (formula A7) as a delivery system for AMX. The CLSM
highly proved AMX-loaded NLC penetration through the skin. The histological study clearly demonstrated that AMX-loaded
NLC promoted hair growth more efectively than the market product in chemotherapy-induced alopecia rats. The acquired
fndings revealed that targeting of AMX-loaded NLC into hair follicles was improved.
