Design of a Stable Microemulsion with Phenolic Compounds from Acanthus Ebracteatus for Hair Tonic Applications

This study investigates the potential of Acanthus ebracteatus extract (AEE) for promoting hair growth by enhancing the proliferation of human hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HDPCs). AEE was formulated into a microemulsion (AEE-ME) and characterized by various parameters, including droplet size and total phenolic content (TPC). The AEE-ME demonstrated high TPC (294.32 ± 6.44 mg GAE/g) and was found to be safe for HDPCs at concentrations between 3.125 and 200 μg/mL, significantly increasing cell proliferation after 48 hours. The microemulsion remained stable over 12 weeks under different storage conditions, suggesting its potential use as a stable hair tonic for hair loss protection.