Cationic nanoemulsions enable follicle-associated delivery with reduced systemic exposure for combined minoxidil/finasteride therapy against androgenetic alopecia
- 1College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123 China
- 2Engineering Research Center of RNA Medicine and Cell Therapy Technology, Ministry of Education, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123 China
Abstract
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a widespread condition characterized by progressive follicular miniaturization and hair loss, yet current topical therapies are often limited by insufficient follicular retention and undesired systemic exposure. Herein, we report cationic nanoemulsions specifically designed to promote follicle-associated delivery of two clinically approved anti-AGA drugs with reduced systemic exposure, thereby achieving potent therapeutic efficacy against AGA. The two anti-AGA drugs, minoxidil (MXD) and finasteride (FNA), are incorporated into a cationic polymer-coated nanoemulsion with a favorable nanoscale droplet (72.64 nm), high encapsulation efficiency (90.46% for MXD and 92.44% for FNA), and positively charged surface (zeta potential 51.2 mV). This cationic interface promoted local cutaneous retention and preferential follicle-associated localization, while substantially reducing systemic absorption. In testosterone-induced AGA mouse models, the dual-drug-loaded nanoemulsion outperformed commercial MXD tincture and single-drug formulations in promoting hair regeneration by inhibiting 5α-reductase-mediated dihydrotestosterone production and TGF-β1 signaling, while activating β-catenin and VEGF pathways to reprogram the follicular microenvironment. Importantly, repeated topical application showed good skin compatibility and no obvious systemic toxicity under the tested conditions. These findings highlight a cationic surface-functionalized nanoemulsion strategy that enhances follicle-associated retention while limiting systemic exposure, offering a clinically translatable approach for AGA therapy.
Graphical Abstract: Cationic nanoemulsions achieve follicle-associated delivery with reduced systemic exposure, enabling safer therapy for androgenetic alopecia
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-026-04902-4.
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BibTeX
@article{huo2026cationic,
title = {{Cationic nanoemulsions enable follicle-associated delivery with reduced systemic exposure for combined minoxidil/finasteride therapy against androgenetic alopecia}},
author = {Ming-Wei Huo and Jing-Yi Liu and Ye-Chao Zhang and Xin Feng and Le-Yan Gu and Cai-Yi Ping and Yan-Kai Qu and Honghao Pan and Beizhen Guo and Bihe Jin and Yongan Tang and Qing-Ri Cao},
journal = {Journal of Nanobiotechnology},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12951-026-04902-4},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-026-04902-4},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Cationic nanoemulsions enable follicle-associated delivery with reduced systemic exposure for combined minoxidil/finasteride therapy against androgenetic alopecia
AU - Ming-Wei Huo
AU - Jing-Yi Liu
AU - Ye-Chao Zhang
AU - Xin Feng
AU - Le-Yan Gu
AU - Cai-Yi Ping
AU - Yan-Kai Qu
AU - Honghao Pan
AU - Beizhen Guo
AU - Bihe Jin
AU - Yongan Tang
AU - Qing-Ri Cao
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/10
JO - Journal of Nanobiotechnology
DO - 10.1186/s12951-026-04902-4
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-026-04902-4
AB - Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a widespread condition characterized by progressive follicular miniaturization and hair loss, yet current topical therapies are often limited by insufficient follicular retention and undesired systemic exposure. Herein, we report cationic nanoemulsions specifically designed to promote follicle-associated delivery of two clinically approved anti-AGA drugs with reduced systemic exposure, thereby achieving potent therapeutic efficacy against AGA. The two anti-AGA drugs, minoxidil (MXD) and finasteride (FNA), are incorporated into a cationic polymer-coated nanoemulsion with a favorable nanoscale droplet (72.64 nm), high encapsulation efficiency (90.46% for MXD and 92.44% for FNA), and positively charged surface (zeta potential 51.2 mV). This cationic interface promoted local cutaneous retention and preferential follicle-associated localization, while substantially reducing systemic absorption. In testosterone-induced AGA mouse models, the dual-drug-loaded nanoemulsion outperformed commercial MXD tincture and single-drug formulations in promoting hair regeneration by inhibiting 5α-reductase-mediated dihydrotestosterone production and TGF-β1 signaling, while activating β-catenin and VEGF pathways to reprogram the follicular microenvironment. Importantly, repeated topical application showed good skin compatibility and no obvious systemic toxicity under the tested conditions. These findings highlight a cationic surface-functionalized nanoemulsion strategy that enhances follicle-associated retention while limiting systemic exposure, offering a clinically translatable approach for AGA therapy. Graphical Abstract: Cationic nanoemulsions achieve follicle-associated delivery with reduced systemic exposure, enabling safer therapy for androgenetic alopecia Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-026-04902-4.
SN - 1477-3155
ER -