Overview
- The study, published October 8 in Advanced Healthcare Materials, details dissolving microneedles made from stevioside that deliver topical minoxidil.
- In a testosterone-accelerated alopecia mouse model, treated areas recovered about 67% hair coverage by day 35 versus roughly 25% with standard minoxidil.
- Stevioside increased minoxidil’s water solubility and skin penetration while serving as the structural matrix for the dissolvable microneedles.
- The approach may reduce reliance on ethanol and propylene glycol solvents used in conventional formulations that can cause scalp irritation.
- Researchers from China and Australia, including University of Sydney co–corresponding author Lifeng Kang, report no human data yet and plan mechanistic studies and clinical trials.