Overview

• In a study published October 8 in Advanced Healthcare Materials, scientists created dissolving microneedles using stevioside to solubilize and deliver minoxidil through the skin.
• The patch increased drug absorption and, by day 35, produced hair regrowth over about 67% of treated areas in mice versus roughly 25% with standard topical minoxidil.
• The approach aims to overcome minoxidil’s poor water solubility and skin permeability and could reduce reliance on irritating solvent additives such as ethanol and propylene glycol.
• The work builds on evidence that microneedling can enhance topical drug uptake and may independently stimulate follicles by increasing local blood flow.
• The team, including researchers in Australia and China led in part by the University of Sydney’s Lifeng Kang, is investigating mechanisms and planning clinical evaluation.