EthoLeciplex: a new tool for effective cutaneous delivery of minoxidil

References

• Messenger AG, Rundegren J. Minoxidil: mechanisms of action on hair growth. Br J Dermatol. 2004;150(2):186–194.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lundin M, Chawa S, Sachdev A, et al. Gender differences in alopecia areata. J Drugs Dermatol. 2014;13(4):409–413.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Yang G, Chen Q, Wen D, et al. A therapeutic microneedle patch made from hair-derived keratin for promoting hair regrowth. ACS Nano. 2019;13(4):4354–4360.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tsuboi R, Itami S, Inui S, Guidelines Planning Committee for the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia, et al. Guidelines for the management of androgenetic alopecia (2010). J Dermatol. 2012;39(2):113–120.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kwack MH, Kang BM, Kim MK, et al. Minoxidil activates β-catenin pathway in human dermal papilla cells: a possible explanation for its anagen prolongation effect. J Dermatol Sci. 2011;62(3):154–159.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kwon TK, Kim JC. In vitro skin permeation of monoolein nanoparticles containing hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin/minoxidil complex. Int J Pharm. 2010;392(1-2):268–273. Available from:
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Maitra M, Goyal AK, Rath G. A novel approach for follicular delivery of minoxidil for treatment of alopecia. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol. 2017;41:113–123. Available from:
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Matos BN, Reis TA, Gratieri T, et al. Chitosan nanoparticles for targeting and sustaining minoxidil sulphate delivery to hair follicles. Int J Biol Macromol. 2015;75:225–229. Available from:
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jeong WY, Kim S, Lee SY, et al. Transdermal delivery of minoxidil using HA-PLGA nanoparticles for the treatment in alopecia. Biomater Res. 2019;23(1):16–10.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Lee HJ, Oh DW, Na MJ, et al. Preparation and in vivo evaluation of lecithin-based microparticles for topical delivery of minoxidil. Arch Pharm Res. 2017;40(8):943–951.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pereira MN, Schulte HL, Duarte N, et al. Solid effervescent formulations as new approach for topical minoxidil delivery. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2017;96:411–419.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Elmowafy M, Shalaby K, Al-Sanea MM, et al. Influence of stabilizer on the development of luteolin nanosuspension for cutaneous delivery: an in vitro and in vivo evaluation. Pharmaceutics 2021;13(11):1812–1817.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cevc G, Blume G. Lipid vesicles penetrate into intact skin owing to the transdermal osmotic gradients and hydration force. Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr. 1992;1104(1):226–232.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Touitou E, Alkabes M, Dayan N. Ethosomes: novel lipid vesicular system for enhanced delivery. Pharm Res S. 1997;14:305–306.
   Google Scholar
• Manca ML, Zaru M, Manconi M, et al. Glycerosomes: a new tool for effective dermal and transdermal drug delivery. Int J Pharm. 2013;455(1-2):66–74. Available from:
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Elmowafy M, Shalaby K, Ali HM, et al. Impact of nanostructured lipid carriers on dapsone delivery to the skin: in vitro and in vivo studies. Int J Pharm. 2019;572:118781.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Date AA, Srivastava D, Nagarsenker MS, et al. Lecithin-based novel cationic nanocarriers (LeciPlex) I: fabrication, characterization and evaluation. Nanomedicine 2011;6(8):1309–1325.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Shah SM, Ashtikar M, Jain AS, et al. LeciPlex, invasomes, and liposomes: a skin penetration study. Int J Pharm. 2015;490(1-2):391–403.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Date AA, Nagarsenker MS, Patere S, et al. Lecithin-based novel cationic nanocarriers (leciplex) II: improving therapeutic efficacy of quercetin on oral administration. Mol Pharm. 2011;8(3):716–726.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hassan DH, Abdelmonem R, Abdellatif MM. Formulation and characterization of carvedilol leciplex for glaucoma treatment: in-vitro, ex-vivo and in-vivo study. Pharmaceutics 2018;10(4):197.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Salama A, Badran M, Elmowafy M, et al. Spironolactone-loaded leciplexes as potential topical delivery systems for female acne: in vitro appraisal and ex vivo skin permeability studies. Pharmaceutics 2019;12(1):25.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Elmowafy M, Musa A, Alnusaire TS, et al. Olive oil/pluronic oleogels for skin delivery of quercetin: in vitro characterization and ex vivo skin permeability. Polymers Basel. 2021;13(11):1808.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Abdulbaqi IM, Darwis Y, Khan NAK, et al. Ethosomal nanocarriers: the impact of constituents and formulation techniques on ethosomal properties, in vivo studies, and clinical trials. Int J Nanomed. 2016;11:2279–2304.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Elmowafy M, Shalaby K, Badran MM, et al. El-Bagory I. Fatty alcohol containing nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) for progesterone oral delivery: in vitro and ex vivo studies. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol. 2018;45:230–239
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Elmowafy M, Shalaby K, Badran MM, et al. Multifunctional carbamazepine loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) formulation. Int J Pharm. 2018;550(1-2):359–371. Available from:
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jain S, Umamaheshwari RB, Bhadra D, et al. Ethosomes: a novel vesicular carrier for enhanced transdermal delivery of an antiHIV agent. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2004;66(1):72.
   Google Scholar
• Prasanthi D, Lakshmi PK. Development of ethosomes with taguchi robust design-based studies for transdermal delivery of alfuzosin hydrochloride. Int Curr Pharm J. 2012;1(11):370–375.
   Google Scholar
• Salama A, Badran M, Elmowafy M, et al. Spironolactone-loaded leciplexes as potential topical delivery systems for female acne: in vitro appraisal and ex vivo skin permeability studies. Pharmaceutics 2020;12(1):1–17.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Satapathy D, Biswas D, Behera B, et al. Sunflower‐oil‐based lecithin organogels as matrices for controlled drug delivery. J Appl Polym Sci. 2013;129(2):585–594.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• NOUNOU M, El-Khordagui LK, Khalafallah NA, et al. In vitro drug release of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drug entities from liposomal dispersions and gels. Acta Pharm. 2006;56(3):311–324.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Chourasia MK, Kang L, Yung S. Results in pharma sciences nanosized ethosomes bearing ketoprofen for improved transdermal delivery. Results Pharma Sci. 2011;1(1):60–67. Available from:
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Ahad A, Aqil M, Kohli K, et al. Enhanced transdermal delivery of an anti-hypertensive agent via nanoethosomes: statistical optimization, characterization and pharmacokinetic assessment. Int J Pharm. 2013;443(1-2):26–38.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Asasutjarit R, Managit C, Phanaksri T, et al. Formulation development and in vitro evaluation of transferrin-conjugated liposomes as a carrier of ganciclovir targeting the retina. Int J Pharm. 2020;577:119084.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bhaskar K, Anbu J, Ravichandiran V, et al. Lipid nanoparticles for transdermal delivery of flurbiprofen: formulation, in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies. Lipids Health Dis. 2009;8:6–15.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Haidar ZS, Hamdy RC, Tabrizian M. Protein release kinetics for core–shell hybrid nanoparticles based on the layer-by-layer assembly of alginate and chitosan on liposomes. Biomaterials 2008;29(9):1207–1215.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Touitou E, Dayan N, Bergelson L, et al. Ethosomes—novel vesicular carriers for enhanced delivery: characterization and skin penetration properties. J Control Release. 2000;65(3):403–418.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tanriverdi ST, Özer Ö. Novel topical formulations of Terbinafine-HCl for treatment of onychomycosis. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2013;48(4-5):628–636.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ainbinder D, Touitou E. Testosterone ethosomes for enhanced transdermal delivery. Drug Deliv. 2005;12(5):297–303.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Paolino D, Lucania G, Mardente D, et al. Ethosomes for skin delivery of ammonium glycyrrhizinate : in vitro percutaneous permeation through human skin and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity on human volunteers. J Control Release. 2005;106(1-2):99–110.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Padois K, Cantiéni C, Bertholle V, et al. Solid lipid nanoparticles suspension versus commercial solutions for dermal delivery of minoxidil. Int J Pharm. 2011;416(1):300–304.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Elmowafy M. Skin penetration/permeation success determinants of nanocarriers: pursuit of a perfect formulation. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2021;203(March):111748. Available from:
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Vierl U, Löbbecke L, Nagel N, et al. Solute effects on the colloidal and phase behavior of lipid bilayer membranes: ethanol-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine mixtures. Biophys J. 1994;67(3):1067–1079.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Illel B. Formulation for transfollicular drug administration: some recent advances. Crit Rev Ther Drug Carr Syst. 1997;14(3):207–219.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gupta R, Badhe Y, Rai B, et al. Molecular mechanism of the skin permeation enhancing effect of ethanol : a molecular dynamics. RSC Adv. 2020;10(21):12234–12248.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pelikh O, Keck CM. Hair follicle targeting and dermal drug delivery with curcumin drug nanocrystals—essential influence of excipients. Nanomaterials 2020;10(11):2323–2325.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jung S, Otberg N, Thiede G, et al. Innovative liposomes as a transfollicular drug delivery system: penetration into porcine hair follicles. J Invest Dermatol. 2006;126(8):1728–1732.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Patzelt A, Richter H, Knorr F, et al. Selective follicular targeting by modification of the particle sizes. J Control Release. 2011;150(1):45–48.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wang S, Lu W, Tovmachenko O, et al. Challenge in understanding size and shape dependent toxicity of gold nanomaterials in human skin keratinocytes. Chem Phys Lett. 2008;463(1-3):145–149.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar