Comparative in vivo assessment of hair-growth efficacy using nanostructured lipid carriers individually loaded with lavender oil or tea seed oil

BackgroundThis study aimed to formulate nanostructured lipid carriers loaded with tea seed or lavender oil to enhance hair regrowth via improved follicular penetration, as an alternative to conventional alopecia therapies.MethodologyNLCs were prepared by ultrasonication of stearic acid: essential oil mixtures into an aqueous phase containing either Tween 80 or Pluronic F127 as surfactants. Particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and TEM were measured. In vivo efficacy was evaluated in female Wistar albino rats given selected once-daily topical NLCs for 30 days.Key resultsDLS analysis showed that formulations F2 and F5 had mean particle sizes of 165 ± 3 nm and 181 ± 6 nm, respectively, whereas the mixed-oil formulation F3 aggregated into large droplets. Zeta potentials of -65 ± 2 mV (F2) and -42 ± 3 mV (F5) confirmed excellent electrostatic stability. TEM images verified roughly spherical, core-shell nanoparticles. In the in vivo study, F2 and F5 treatments increased mean hair lengths by 120% and 132% versus placebo (p < 0.001), respectively, compared to a 116% increase with the commercial product. NLCs significantly enhanced follicular density, with the lavender oil formulation showing superior hair shaft integrity.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that Pluronic F127-stabilized NLCs carrying natural oils possess optimal physicochemical properties and promote hair regrowth.