Development and characterization of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles with finasteride and in vivo evaluation of their efficacy in hair growth

Abstract

Introduction: Alopecia is a condition that affects the hair follicle. Currently, a wide variety of treatments are available, including topical, oral and injectable formulations. Oral therapies are the most adhered to; however, they generally present more adverse effects. As a well-established oral drug therapy, finasteride is presented, which inhibits the enzyme 5-α-reductase, and blocks the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. This drug is capable of promoting hair growth, however can lead to adverse effects. Therefore, in this study, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles with finasteride were developed, aiming to improve the efficiency of this drug and reduce its systemic side effects.

Methodology: Nanoparticles without the drug and with the drug at 10, 20 and 30mg were developed. The system was characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering, Zeta Potential, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.

Results and Conclusion: The drug-free nanoparticles had a reaction yield of 91.8%, nanoparticles with 10mg of finasteride showed a yield of 82.6%, with 20mg a yield of 92.9%, and with 30mg a yield of 89.3%. The average diameter ranged from 162.2nm for drug-free nanoparticles, 176.1nm for nanoparticles with 10mg of finasteride, 179.6nm for nanoparticles with 20mg, and 187.7nm for nanoparticles with 30mg. Nanoparticles with 10mg of finasteride showed an encapsulation efficiency of 48.2%, nanoparticles with 20mg an efficiency of 90.7%, and nanoparticles with 30mg an efficiency of 83.2%. The development of nanoparticles and the encapsulation of finasteride were successful. Next, an in vivo study will be conducted to evaluate its efficacy in promoting hair growth orally.