A Review on an Evaluation of a Liposomal Hydrogel for Combined Minoxidil and Tretinoin Delivery in Androgenetic Alopecia

Abstract

This critique examines a 2019 investigation by Kochar and colleagues, which engineered a liposomal hydrogel for the concurrent topical administration of Minoxidil (MXD) and Tretinoin (TRET) in addressing androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The foundational research offers a viable option beyond traditional formulations by utilizing liposomes to improve drug stability, encapsulation efficiency, and dermal compatibility, integrated with a hydrogel base to facilitate application and extend release duration. Although the investigation is methodically sound in its design, refinement, and preliminary ex vivo assessment, this analysis pinpoints notable shortcomings. These encompass the absence of in vivo effectiveness data within an alopecia model, inadequate exploration of the mechanistic interplay between MXD and TRET, and an incomplete stability evaluation. This review suggests specific remedial actions and prospective research avenues to address these deficiencies, promoting dedicated in vivo trials, sophisticated analytical methods for interaction analysis, and a more thorough stability-indicating protocol. The engineered system shows substantial promise, yet additional verification is necessary to transform this encouraging ex vivo outcomes into a viable clinical treatment.