Novel approach for hair growth stimulation by deer antler velvet extract-loaded nano-chitosomes and micro-spicule formulation

Abstract

Bioactive extracts from deer antler velvet (DAV) have the potential to stimulate hair growth, and the efficacy of bioactive compounds depends on effective transdermal and transfollicular delivery systems. This study aimed to investigate the bioactivity of DAV extract on skin and hair cells and develop extract-loaded nano-chitosome (CTS) and microspicule (MS) formulations for effective hair growth. The bioactivity of DAV extract on keratinocytes and dermal papilla cells was studied. CTS was developed to incorporate DAV extract and then mixed with MS gel (CTS-MS gel). The in vitro skin permeation, including the visualization of the skin permeation pathway, were evaluated. In vivo human studies were also performed on scalp skin. DAV extract enhanced keratinocyte and hair cell proliferation. CTSs loading DAV extract showed the nanovesicle size, a positive surface charge and was successfully mixed with MS gel (CTS-MS gel). A synergistic effect of CTS and MS provided the ability of macromolecular protein to permeate and deposit into the skin and hair follicles. Applying DAV extract-loaded CTS-MS gel to scalp skins for 14 and 28 days significantly improved hair growth and melanin content without skin irritation. Therefore, CTS-MS gel loading of DAV extract plays an important role in delivering biomacromolecules across the skin and hair follicle, leading to the effective growth of hair.