Stevia compound enhances minoxidil for treating hair loss
Researchers have found that stevioside, a natural sweetener from the Stevia plant, improves the skin absorption of minoxidil, a common treatment for pattern baldness. In mouse tests, a patch combining the two stimulated hair growth by reactivating follicles. This approach could lead to more effective natural therapies for millions affected by androgenetic alopecia.
Androgenetic alopecia, known as male or female pattern baldness, affects hair thinning in both men and women due to genetic and hormonal factors. Hair follicles become sensitive to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a testosterone derivative, causing them to shrink and produce finer, shorter hair until growth ceases. The condition progresses gradually, with differing patterns between sexes but similar mechanisms.
Minoxidil is one of the few approved topical treatments, working by widening blood vessels to boost blood flow around follicles and extend the hair growth phase. However, its poor solubility in water and limited skin penetration hinder effectiveness, requiring consistent application for months with variable results.
To address this, scientists explored enhancers for minoxidil delivery. In a study published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, researchers developed a dissolvable patch infused with stevioside and minoxidil. Tests on a mouse model of alopecia showed the patch successfully stimulated follicles to re-enter the growth phase, leading to new hair development.
"Using stevioside to enhance minoxidil delivery represents a promising step toward more effective and natural treatments for hair loss, potentially benefiting millions worldwide," said co-corresponding author Lifeng Kang, PhD, of the University of Sydney in Australia.
This discovery highlights stevioside's role as a natural absorption enhancer, potentially improving treatment efficiency, reducing application frequency, and minimizing side effects. The findings, from authors including Junying Zhang and Lifeng Kang, suggest a new direction for safer hair loss therapies.