Chitosan and Aloe Vera decorated nanoparticulate system loaded with Minoxidil as a suggested topical formulation for alopecia therapy

Minoxidil (Mxd) is a common medication used for hair regrowth in patients exhibiting different types of alopecia, especially androgenetic alopecia (AGA), but it has some negative aspects such as causing adverse effects and having limited permeation through the outer skin layers. In this study, minoxidil was encapsulated into niosomes and then loaded into chitosan nanoparticles and Aloe vera for creating a nanocomposite (Cs@Alo/Nio-Mxd), which will be used as a topical formulation to overcome these difficulties. The various prepared samples were physico-chemically characterised by their loading efficiency, TEM, SEM, zeta potential, FTIR and in vitro release profiles. The hair growth potential of the prepared formulations was evaluated by an in vivo study using rats with induced alopecia. Thirty-six rats with induced alopecia were randomised into six groups of six rats each. Group 1 (Negative control): rats served as normal and were treated with normal saline, Group 2: rats were treated with topical application of empty nanocomposites. Group 3 (Positive control): rats were treated with topical application of 5% Mxd, Group 4: rats were treated with topical application of (Cs-Mxd NPs), Group 5: rats were treated with topical application of (Cs@Alo-Mxd NPs). Group 6: rats were treated with topical application of (Cs@Alo/Nio-Mxd) nanocomposite. All formulations were applied once daily for 21 days. The treated skin was observed, photographed, and its histological features were examined. Results specified that Cs@Alo/Nio-Mxd nanocomposite could be preferentially deposited into the hair follicles, causing a significant increase (p < 0.05) in skin thickness, total hair follicle number per field, hair follicle diameter, hypodermis hair follicle number and anagen induction percentage.