Natural Sweetener Boosts a Common Treatment For Hair Loss, Study Reveals

A potential way to improve a leading therapy for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) - the familiar form of pattern hair loss - involves adding stevioside, a natural sweetener extracted from the stevia plant (Stevia rebaudiana).

Why minoxidil often falls short in androgenetic alopecia (AGA)

Minoxidil is widely used for AGA and is typically rubbed into the scalp. It is understood to stimulate hair follicles by boosting blood flow, yet only a limited amount is absorbed through the skin. To tackle this barrier, researchers have explored different types of microneedle patches designed to increase penetration.

Combining stevioside with microneedle patches to improve delivery

In a new study led by teams in China and Australia, scientists paired stevioside with microneedle patches. The main rationale was that stevioside helps minoxidil dissolve far more readily in water, which should allow a greater proportion of minoxidil to pass beneath the skin and reach hair follicles.

Mouse testing shows stronger uptake and greater regrowth

The method was assessed in genetically engineered mice prone to hair loss, with encouraging outcomes. Compared with standard approaches, substantially more minoxidil entered the skin and more hair returned.

"There is a significant increase in hair follicle transition to the growth phase, which resulted in 67.5 percent coverage of the treatment area by day 35," write the researchers in their paper.

"Collectively, the results highlight the potential of the stevioside microneedle delivery system for the treatment of AGA."

In contrast, mice given a conventional minoxidil solution reached only 25.7 percent coverage of the treated area by day 35. The enhanced method also appeared to trigger regrowth roughly a week earlier.

Next steps before human trials

Despite the promise, these findings relate to mouse hair rather than human hair. The team is continuing to refine both the microneedle delivery system and the minoxidil formulation to determine the most effective way to administer it.

"The benefits and drawbacks of various technical methods, such as metal or soluble microneedles and sustained-release systems, should be evaluated in conjunction with specific clinical scenarios," write the researchers.

Before clinical trials in people can begin, the approach needs further validation in larger animal studies. Only then can researchers judge how well these microneedle patches might perform in humans, while also assessing side effects and other potential complications.

Long-term practicality must also be established. Existing minoxidil regimens generally require application at least once daily; although microneedle-based delivery could alter that routine, it would still need to be appropriate for repeated, ongoing use.

"Using stevioside to enhance minoxidil delivery represents a promising step toward more effective and natural treatments for hair loss, potentially benefiting millions worldwide," says pharmacologist Lifeng Kang, from the University of Sydney in Australia.

The research has been published in Advanced Healthcare Materials.