Enhanced Therapeutic Effects of All-Trans Retinoic Acid Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Composite Gel Drug Delivery System for Alopecia Areata

The study explores the use of an all-trans retinoic acid-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier gel (ATRA-NLC-Gel) for treating alopecia areata (AA), demonstrating improved therapeutic effects over traditional ATRA cream. The ATRA-NLC-Gel enhances transdermal permeability, targets hair follicles more effectively, reduces skin irritation, and allows for a slow, sustained release of ATRA. In AA model mice, the gel improved symptoms by upregulating CD200 and Ki-67 expression and activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, leading to restored follicular immune homeostasis and enhanced hair regrowth. The study concludes that ATRA-NLC-Gel is a promising strategy for AA treatment in clinical settings.