Exploring the potential of minoxidil tretinoin liposomal based hydrogel for topical delivery in the treatment of androgenic alopecia.

Purpose: Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is a condition of progressive hair loss and involves follicular miniaturization triggered mainly due to varying levels of androgen besides environmental and genetic factors, which may also play some role. Minoxidil (MXD) has been considered as most effective therapeutic moiety to treat this disorder. Another drug Tretinoin (TRET) is known for its comedolytic activity and is reported to enhance percutaneous absorption of MXD. Presently both these drugs are being utilized for treatment of androgenic alopecia (AGA) in solution form which poses several problems in terms of poor solubility of drug, frequency of application and side effects.Materials and methods: Current work investigates liposomal hydrogel system for simultaneous delivery of MXD and TRET to overcome the limitations of existing formulation. Successful development of liposomes was commenced by thin film hydration method and various parameters affecting desired characteristics like size, morphology, entrapment efficiency; stability and ex vivo permeation were optimized. The formulated liposomes were further characterized for various physicochemical properties and evaluated for in vivo irritancy study in animals.Results and discussion: Results suggested prepared liposomes to be stable, homogenous and capable to hold both the drugs within. Association with hydrogel enhanced the permeation of MXD through skin ex vivo but TRET retained on the skin. Liposome loaded hydrogel was found to be non-irritant to skin.Conclusion: Overall developed system showed potential for effective and simultaneous delivery of both the drugs.

Brain Cancer: Implication to Disease, Therapeutic Strategies and Tumor Targeted Drug Delivery Approaches.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Brain cancer is identified as one of the most formidable forms of cancer due to several hurdles posed by the anatomy and physiology of the brain on the therapeutic strategies employed for treating brain cancer. Poor prognosis and high relapse rate further aggravate the situation leading to the high mortality rate in brain cancer. OBJECTIVE: The present review gives a brief insight on different aspects of brain cancer by elucidating its types, causative factors, associated symptoms, diagnostic techniques, treatment strategies and limitations of current treatment strategies. The review summarizes novel drug delivery based treatment strategies for tumor targeting. METHODS: Conventional surgical or chemotherapy based strategies are less efficient for treating brain cancer. Surgery is risky because extracting the tumors can permanently damage the brain and alter the patient's ability to function. Sometimes, surgery cannot be performed because of the anatomical location of the tumor which is beyond the reach or near to any vital region. Drug based therapy requires heavy doses to cross the blood brain barrier leading to systemic toxicity. The review summarizes fifteen different patented technologies for targeting the drug substance specifically to the tumor site in the brain. RESULT: Targeted drug delivery strategies serve as an efficient tool for treating brain cancer. CONCLUSION: Novel strategies focused towards targeting drug substances specifically to brain tumor site would increase the therapeutic efficiency and reduce the toxicity of chemotherapeutics.