Preparation of topical bimatoprost with enhanced skin infiltration and in vivo hair regrowth efficacy in androgenic alopecia

Spanlastic-laden nanogel as a plausible platform for dermal delivery of bimatoprost with superior cutaneous deposition and hair regrowth efficiency in androgenic alopecia

Bimatoprost (BIM) is a prostaglandin F2α analogs originally approved for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Recent studies have highlighted its potential to boost hair growth. The objective of this investigation is to challenge the potential of spanlastics (SLs) as a surfactant-based vesicular system for promoting the cutaneous delivery of BIM for the management of alopecia. BIM-loaded spanlastics (BIM-SLs), composed of Span as the main vesicle component and Tween as the edge activator, were fabricated by ethanol injection method. The formulated BIM-SLs were optimized by 23 full factorial design. The optimized formula (F1) was characterized for entrapment efficiency, surface charge, vesicle size, and drug release after 12 h (Q12h). The optimized formula (F1) exhibited high drug entrapment efficiency (83.1 ± 2.1%), appropriate zeta potential (-19.9 ± 2.1 mV), Q12h of 71.3 ± 5.3%, and a vesicle size of 364.2 ± 15.8 nm, which favored their cutaneous accumulation. In addition, ex-vivo skin deposition studies revealed that entrapping BIM within spanlastic-based nanogel (BIM-SLG) augmented the dermal deposition of BIM, compared to naïve BIM gel. Furthermore, in vivo studies verified the efficacy of spanlastic vesicles to boost the cutaneous accumulation of BIM compared to naive BIM gel; the AUC0-12h of BIM-SLG was 888.05 ± 72.31 μg/mL.h, which was twice as high as that of naïve BIM gel (AUC0-12h 382.86 ± 41.12 μg/mL.h). Intriguingly, BIM-SLG outperforms both naïve BIM gel and commercial minoxidil formulations in stimulating hair regrowth in an androgenetic alopecia mouse model. Collectively, spanlastic vesicles might be a potential platform for promoting the dermal delivery of BIM in managing alopecia.

From Eye Care to Hair Growth: Bimatoprost

BACKGROUND

Bimatoprost has emerged as a significant medication in the field of medicine over the past several decades, with diverse applications in ophthalmology, dermatology, and beyond. Originally developed as an ocular hypotensive agent, it has proven highly effective in treating glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Its ability to reduce intraocular pressure has established it as a first-line treatment option, improving management and preventing vision loss. In dermatology, bimatoprost has shown promising results in the promotion of hair growth, particularly in the treatment of alopecia and hypotrichosis. Its mechanism of action, stimulating the hair cycle and prolonging the growth phase, has led to the development of bimatoprost-containing solutions for enhancing eyelash growth.

AIM

The aim of our review is to provide a brief description, overview, and studies in the current literature regarding the versatile clinical use of bimatoprost in recent years. This can help clinicians determine the most suitable individualized therapy to meet the needs of each patient.

METHODS

Our methods involve a comprehensive review of the latest advancements reported in the literature in bimatoprost formulations, which range from traditional eye drops to sustained-release implants. These innovations offer extended drug delivery, enhance patient compliance, and minimize side effects.

RESULTS

The vast literature published on PubMed has confirmed the clinical usefulness of bimatoprost in lowering intraocular pressure and in managing patients with glaucoma. Numerous studies have shown promising results in dermatology and esthetics in promoting hair growth, particularly in treating alopecia and hypotrichosis. Its mechanism of action involves stimulating the hair cycle and prolonging the growth phase, leading to the development of solutions that enhance eyelash growth. The global use of bimatoprost has expanded significantly, with applications growing beyond its initial indications. Ongoing research is exploring its potential in glaucoma surgery, neuroprotection, and cosmetic procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Bimatoprost has shown immense potential for addressing a wide range of therapeutic needs through various formulations and advancements. Promising future perspectives include the exploration of novel delivery systems such as contact lenses and microneedles to further enhance drug efficacy and patient comfort. Ongoing research and future perspectives continue to shape its role in medicine, promising further advancements and improved patient outcomes.

Nanodrug Delivery Strategies to Signaling Pathways in Alopecia

Over 50% of the global population suffers from hair loss. The mixed results in the treatment of hair loss reveal the limitations of conventional commercial topical drugs. One the one hand, the definite pathogenesis of hair loss is still an enigma. On the other hand, targeted drug carriers ensure the drug therapeutic effect and low side effects. This review highlights the organization and overview of nine crucial signaling pathways associated with hair loss, as well as the development of nanobased topical delivery systems loading the clinical drugs, which will fuel emerging hair loss treatment strategies.

Non-invasive assessment of hair regeneration in androgenetic alopecia mice in vivo using two-photon and second harmonic generation imaging

The identification of crucial targets for hair regrowth in androgenetic alopecia (AGA) involves determining important characteristics and different stages during the process of hair follicle regeneration. Traditional methods for assessing key features and different stages of hair follicle primarily involve taking skin tissue samples and determining them through various staining or other methods. However, non-invasive assessment methods have been long sought. Therefore, in this study, endogenous fluorescence signals from skin keratin and second harmonic signals from skin collagen fibers were utilized as probes, two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) and second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging techniques were employed to non-invasively assess hair shafts and collagen fibers in AGA mice in vivo. The TPEF imaging technique revealed that the alternation of new and old hair shafts and the different stages of the growth period in AGA mice were delayed. In addition, SHG imaging found testosterone reduced hair follicle area and miniaturized hair follicles. The non-invasive TPEF and SHG imaging techniques provided important methodologies for determining significant characteristics and different stages of the growth cycle in AGA mice, which will facilitate future non-invasive assessments on human scalps in vivo and reduce the use of animal testing.

Caizhixuan hair tonic regulates both apoptosis and the PI3K/Akt pathway to treat androgenetic alopecia

PURPOSE

Caizhixuan hair tonic (CZX) is a topical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). However, its active compounds and underlying mechanism for treating AGA are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of CZX on hair growth promotion in AGA mice and to explore the active components and mechanism.

METHODS

Testosterone propionate was administered subcutaneously to mice to establish an AGA mouse model. The therapeutic effects of CZX on AGA were evaluated by observing skin colour changes, hair growth time, and average hair length; calculating the hair growth score; and performing skin histopathological analysis. Following that, CZX chemical components were analysed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS). Network pharmacology was used to predict the major effects and possible mechanisms of CZX for the treatment of AGA. Furthermore, RT-qPCR and Western blotting were performed to assess the expression of key genes and proteins involved in PI3K/Akt and apoptosis pathways in order to validate CZX's predicted mechanism in AGA.

RESULTS

CZX promoted hair growth and improved the pathological morphology of hair follicles in the skin. In UPLC-Q-TOF/MS analysis, 69 components from CZX were isolated. Based on network pharmacology, CZX alleviated AGA by regulating PI3K/Akt and apoptosis pathways. According to RT-qPCR and Western blotting, CZX upregulated the expressions of PI3K, Akt, and Bcl-2, while downregulating that of Bax and caspase-3.

CONCLUSIONS

CZX promotes hair growth to treat AGA by regulating the PI3K/Akt and apoptosis pathways.

CircAGK regulates high dihydrotestosterone-induced apoptosis in DPCs through the miR-3180-5p/BAX axis

The incidence of androgen alopecia (AGA), also known as seborrheic alopecia, has surged in recent years, and onset is occurring at younger ages. Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) are key to maintaining hair cycling, and apoptosis-driven processes in DPCs are closely related to hair follicle regeneration. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are widely present in the human body and are closely related to the occurrence and development of many diseases. Currently, the biological functions of circRNAs in AGA are largely unknown. Whole-transcriptome sequencing was used to screen differential circRNA expression profiles between AGA patients and non-AGA patients. We found that hsa_circ_0002980 (circAGK) was significantly highly expressed in the AGA group. CircAGK promoted DPC apoptosis in the presence of high dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (15 nmol/L). By regulating the miR-3180-5p/BAX axis, circAGK promotes DPC apoptosis in a high DHT environment in vitro and inhibits hair growth in AGA mice in vivo, indicating that circAGK is a potential target for the clinical treatment of AGA.

Topical Delivery of Atraric Acid Derived from Stereocaulon japonicum with Enhanced Skin Permeation and Hair Regrowth Activity for Androgenic Alopecia

Atraric acid (AA) is a phenolic compound isolated from Stereocaulon japonicum that has demonstrated anti-androgen properties and was used to design an alternative formulation for the treatment of alopecia. This new topical formulation was designed using a solvent mixture system composed of ethanol as a volatile vehicle, oleic acid as a permeation enhancer, and water for skin hydration. The ideal topical AA formulation (AA-TF#15) exhibited an 8.77-fold higher human skin flux and a 570% increase in dermal drug deposition, compared to 1% (w/w) AA in ethanol. In addition, compared to other formulations, AA-TF#15 (1% [w/w] AA) activated keratinocytes and human dermal papilla cell proliferation at a concentration of 50 µM AA, which is equivalent to 50 µM minoxidil. Moreover, AA-TF#15 treatment produced a significant increase in hair regrowth by 58.0% and 41.9% compared to the 1% (w/w) minoxidil and oral finasteride (1 mg/kg)-treated mice. In addition, AA-TF#15 showed a higher expression level of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1, β-catenin, cyclin D1, and pyruvate kinase M2 proteins in the skin of AA-TF#15-treated mice compared to that of those treated with minoxidil and oral finasteride. These findings suggest AA-TF#15 is an effective formulation for the treatment of scalp androgenic alopecia.

The physiological and pharmacological roles of prostaglandins in hair growth

Hair loss is a common status found among people of all ages. Since the role of hair is much more related to culture and individual identity, hair loss can have a great influence on well-being and quality of life. It is a disorder that is observed in only scalp patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) or alopecia areata caused by stress or immune response abnormalities. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapeutic medicines such as finasteride, and minoxidil improve hair loss temporarily, but when they stop, they have a limitation in that hair loss occurs again. As an alternative strategy for improving hair growth, many studies reported that there is a relationship between the expression levels of prostaglandins (PGs) and hair growth. Four major PGs such as prostaglandin D2 (PGD₂), prostaglandin I2 (PGI₂), prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂), and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF₂α) are spatiotemporally expressed in hair follicles and are implicated in hair loss. This review investigated the physiological roles and pharmacological interventions of the PGs in the pathogenesis of hair loss and provided these novel insights for clinical therapeutics for patients suffering from alopecia.