Patient-convenient long-term alopecia treatment via PLGA microsphere-loaded candlelit microneedles

Abstract

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is characterized by chronic and progressive hair loss, with associated psychological factors intensifying the impact on patients. Current treatments, such as oral finasteride and topical minoxidil, have low bioavailability and numerous side effects. Dissolvable microneedles (DMNs) provide a promising alternative for drug delivery. However, the presence of hair on the scalp often hinders their insertions and adhesion. Thus, candlelit microneedles (CMNs) have been developed to improve insertion and drug delivery without the use of adhesive patches. In this study, CMNs were combined with poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres encapsulating the NO-releasing PDE5 inhibitor TOP-M119 (M119), a potent vasodilator promoting hair growth, for sustained drug release. When delivered via the CMN, it bypasses the challenges posed by hair on the scalp. The CMN system with PLGA microspheres resulted in substantial hair growth and reduced application frequency in vivo. This indicates that it may be a more effective treatment for alopecia than conventional methods. Furthermore, the reduced application frequency may result in better patient compliance.