Histological evaluation of follicular delivery of arginine via nanostructured lipid carriers: a novel potential approach for the treatment of alopecia

Figures & data

Figure 1. Particle size distribution (a), zeta potential value (b), and scanning electron microscopy image of optimized formulation (c).

Figure 2. The X-ray diffractions pattern of precirol (a), Poloxamer^® (b), arginine (c), and nanostructured lipid carrier formulation (d).

Figure 3. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy pattern of arginine (a), oleic acid (b), and the mixture of arginine-oleic acid (c).

Figure 4. In vitro drug release profile of arginine-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier formulation (Data are presented as mean ± SD).

Figure 5. Rhodamine B penetration into hamster skin: staining of hamster skin following the application of 0.001% Rhodamine B solution (a: light microscopic image, b: fluorescent microscopic image) and 0.001% Rhodamine B-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (c: light microscopic image, d: fluorescent microscopic image).

Figure 6. Effect of aqueous solution of arginine (b), blank nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) (d) and arginine-loaded NLC (f) on the hair follicles compared with untreated skin (a, c, and e, respectively).

Table 1. The histological effect of arginine-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) on hair follicles.

			Independent t-test results
Studied groups		Mean ± SD^a	t	Df^b	P values
1	Untreated	1046 ± 315	1.34	14	0.200
	Treated with arginine solution	1260 ± 292
2	Untreated	1180 ± 570	1.29	15	0.216
	Treated with blank NLC	1456 ± 425
3	Untreated	1738 ± 819	−3.11	9.7	0.011
	Treated with arginine-NLC	4413 ± 668

^a Standard deviation.

^b Degree of freedom.