In this study different formulations including 2% MINOXIDIL and 0.01% ethinyl estradiol in a mixed solvents [ethanol, propylen glycol (pG) and water, with the ratio of 50: 20: 30] were prepared, and their stabilities were studied via accelerated tests. In this assessment some factors such as: presence or absence of light, effect of antioxidant agent and vehicle were considered. The degradation of two active ingredients was first-order reaction. By using antioxidant agents and amber glass as suitable containers, the length of their shelf-life was increased. In order to protect quick and high degradation rate of the ethynil estradiol and its concentration fluctuation, PG was omitted from the solvent system. In percutaneous absorption, kinetic of MINOXIDIL was zero-order reaction while the ethynil estradiol obeyed Higuchi's modle. Perhaps the high absorption rate of ethynil estradiol was duo to its low polarity.

Background: MINOXIDIL is currently an approved treatment for androgenetic alopecia. Topical tretinoin can enhance skin absorption of MINOXIDIL. Objective: This study has been done in order to determine the efficacy and safety of the solution of 0.5% MINOXIDIL + 0.05% tretinoin compared to 2% MINOXIDIL in androgenetic alopecia in men. Patients and Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, controlled study, 117 male patients with androgenetic alopecia, 18-40 years old, Hamilton grades of 2-5 and duration of alopecia less than 10 years were evaluated. These patients were divided in two groups randomly, one group received a solution containing 0.5% MINOXIDIL arid 0.05%tretinoin and another group received 2% MINOXIDIL for at least 4 months. The patients used 1 ml of the solution twice daily. 2 and 4 months after treatment, the patients were evaluated for efficacy (patients, idea about improvement of hair loss, hair regrowth and wash test) and safety (erythema, scaling and pruritus). The quantitative data were analyzed by ANOVA and the qualitative data were analyzed by qui-squared test. Results: There were no significant differences between two groups regarding the age, duration and grade of hair loss. After 4 months of treatment, the percentage of patients reporting improvement in hair loss and hair regrowth were % 81/6 and %56 in MINOXIDIL 2% group and 65/4% and 59/6% in MINOXIDIL + tretinoin group, respectively (P> 0.05 for all ). At the same time, the numbers of hairs in wash test were 156 in MINOXIDIL 2% group and 149 in MINOXIDIL+tretinoin group (p> 0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in efficacy and safety of 4 months treatment with the solution of 0.5% MINOXIDIL and 0.05% tretinoin compared to the solution of 2% MINOXIDIL in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men.    

Background: Alopecia areata is an idiopathic disease in which there is patchy hair loss. Many treatments for hair loss coin (less than 50% hair loss) has been proposed Including corticosteroid injections, topical 5% MINOXIDIL, and anthralin cream or ointment on the skin without hair. Since recent studies on the role of autoantibodies and autoimmune disease in alopecia areata have raised and the drugs used in its treatment are immunomodulators, this study aimed to compare the efficiency of tacrolimus and MINOXIDIL with MINOXIDIL alone in the treatment of alopecia areata.Methods: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial study was done in Alzahra Hospital and Sedigheh Tahira Center of Dermatology and Leishmaniasis, affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, from September 2012 to September 2013. In this study, 96 lesions in 54 patients with alopecia areata with various size and number of lesions were studied in two treatment groups. One group recived MINOXIDIL 5% solution and tacrolimus 0.1% cream, and the other received MINOXIDIL 5% solution and placebo cream. The mean lesion area at the onset of treatment, one and two months after starting the treatment, and one and three months after ending the therapy were measured compared between the groups in both sexes and various ages.Findings: After the treatment, the lesions in group MINOXIDIL and tacrolimus increased and in the group treated with placebo cream and MINOXIDIL solution decreased.Conclusion: In our study, MINOXIDIL 5% solution alone was more effective in treatment of alopecia areata compared to combination of MINOXIDIL 5% solution and tacrolimus 0.1% cream.

The aim of this work was to develop and evaluate a MINOXIDIL foamable emu oil emulsion with the purpose of improving MINOXIDIL permeation into the skin, increasing hair growth , reducing skin irritation, and increasing consumer compliance. MINOXIDIL was dissolved in a solvent system comprising ethanol: glycerin: lactic acid: water (10:20:5:65). The foamable emulsion was prepared by mixing the oil phase with MINOXIDIL solution using different amount of various emulsifiers. Seventeen formulations were prepared and the most stable foamable emulsion was selected and evaluated for various pharmaceutical parameters such as homogeneity, pH, stability to centrifugal stress, freeze-thaw and foamability. The adopted formulation showed good pharmaceutical characteristics. In vitro release rate of the formulations were evaluated using Franz diffusion cell using phosphate buffer pH 7.4 and ethanol as the receiver medium at sink condition. The release rate of formulations was found to obey Higuchi kinetic model. Experimental animal study was performed to evaluate hair growth potential of the formulation. Different cyclic phases of hair follicles, like anagen, and telogen phases, were determined at one month period. Histological study after treatment with adopted formulation exhibited greater number of hair follicles in anagenic phase (96%) which were higher as compared to marketed 5% MINOXIDIL solution (Pakdaruâ 70%) and the control group (42%). From animal study it was concluded that the selected formulation exhibited a significant potency in promoting hair growth in comparison with marketed 5% MINOXIDIL solution Pakdaruâ.

MINOXIDIL has been reported to inhibit in-vitro fibroblast proliferation and lysyl hydroxylase activity, a key enzyme in collagen biosynthesis. These in-vitro effects proposed MINOXIDIL to be a potential antifibrotic agent. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of MINOXIDIL gel on wound healing procedure in a second-degree burn model in rats.Wistar rats were anesthetized and a second-degree burn was induced on the back of Wistar rats using a heated 2 cm diameter metal plate. Experimental groups received 2% or 5% topical MINOXIDIL gel, dexpanthenol or sliver sulfadiazine. Histological parameters including collagen content, angiogenesis, number of preserved follicles and necrosis along with tensile strength of burn wound area were assessed on days 3, 7, 14 and 21 post-injury.Microscopic evaluation of specimens collected from sample animals were consistent and showed a second-degree burn. Main histological findings regarding MINOXIDIL topical usage showed that collagen content and tensile strength of burned area did not differ between groups. However, MINOXIDIL increased the number and diameter of blood vessels significantly compared with other groups.Although MINOXIDIL improved the process of wound-healing, our results did not support the proposed idea of its usage as an antifibrotic agent. However, to reject its possible effects as an antifibrotic agent, more objective animal models should be developed and studied.

Background and Aim: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of alopecia in men, worldwide and topical MINOXIDIL appears to be the most effective and safe treatment for AGA beside oral finasteride. Safety assessment of topical MINOXIDIL formulation could be conducted using in vivo studies on human volunteers. Using skin biophysical parameters is a fast and noninvasive method for safety assessment of topical products.Methods: A topical combination of MINOXIDIL 5% solution in combination with chamomile extract from Iran’s pharmaceutical market tested on the skin of the forearm of 15 healthy volunteers. Changes in trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration, pH, melanin and hemoglobin contents have been evaluated, using biometric assessments with MPA 580 CutometerÒ.Results: There was not any significant change in skin hydration (P=0.692), TEWL (P=0.191), stratum corneum pH (P=0.613), melanin (P=0.533), and hemoglobin (P=0.579) contents before and after topical MINOXIDIL application.Conclusion: No significant change detected in skin erythema and assessed parameters Application of MINOXIDIL 5%+ chamomile 7% topical solution on human volunteers has not shown any adverse effects and these formulations could be recommended to use.

Background: This study aimed to examine the uptake of the model therapeutic agent, MINOXIDIL, through the skin, under the influence of different vehicles. Therefore, the effect of different penetration enhancers such as Propylene glycol, water, ethanol, transcutol P, caprylic acid, and Isopropyl alcohol were evaluated on skin permeability of MINOXIDIL through rat skin. Methods: The skin permeability of MINOXIDIL on rat skin was analyzed through a Franz cell by evaluating the parameters, including Jss, ERflux, ERD, and ERp. The enhancement mechanisms were studied by comparing FT-IR peak intensities for asymmetric and symmetric C-H stretching, ester C=O stretching, and Amide peaks. The mean transition temperature (Tm) and their enthalpies (
, H) were investigated by the DSC technique. Results: Caprylic acid had the highest diffusion coefficient enhancement ratio (ERD), followed by propylene glycol and water. All solvents have ERD flux enhancement ratio. Solubility in the stratum corneum limited partitioning. All carriers enhanced drug permeability from rat skin, according to FTIR and DSC. Conclusions: Caprylic acid is an effective topical vehicle for MINOXIDIL due to greater partitioning and diffusion through rat skin.

Background: Telogen effluvium is a self-limited, non-scarring disease that shows itself as a diffuse hair loss of the scalp that usually occurs 3 months after an acute illness. Theoretically, MINOXIDIL solution has been suggested as a treatment for this condition. In this study, we compared the efficacy of the MINOXIDIL and an herbal drug containing urtica diocia, chamomilla, thymus vulgaris, equisetum avenues and foeniculum vulgare for treating telogen effluvium. Material and methods: This study was a double - blind prospective study. 24 patients with telogen effluvium were allocated randomly in two groups and were treated with MINOXIDIL and the herbal drug. Data were analyzed statistically. Results: The mean duration of telogen effluvium in the MINOXIDIL group was 17 weeks and in the herbal drug group was 7 weeks. This difference was statistically significant.Conclusion: From this study, it is condoled that this herbal drug is effective in telogen effluviumalthough more studies are recommended in this field.