Unexpected Way to Treat Baldness Discovered

An international team of scientists has discovered a new way to enhance the effectiveness of minoxidil, the main drug used to treat androgenetic alopecia (baldness in both men and women). According to the study, a natural sweetener called stevioside, derived from the stevia plant, improves the skin penetration of minoxidil and boosts its effect. The research was published in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials (AHM).

Minoxidil is widely used in the form of sprays and solutions to stimulate hair growth. However, its poor solubility and low skin permeability limit its effectiveness. To solve this problem, researchers developed a dissolvable patch that combines minoxidil and stevioside.

In a study on a mouse model of baldness, this patch stimulated hair follicles to enter the active growth phase, leading to the emergence of new hair.

"Using stevioside to enhance the delivery of minoxidil is a promising step toward developing more effective and natural treatments for hair loss, which could help millions of people worldwide," said Professor Lifeng Kang of the University of Sydney, co-author of the study.