Tamoxifen-Loaded Liposomal Topical Formulation Arrests Hair Growth in Mice.
Bhatia A, Singh B, Amarji B, Katare OP.
University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences - UGC Centre of Advanced Study Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
ABSTRACT Background For several decades, androgens have dominated endocrine research in the domain of hair growth control. However, it has long been known that estrogens also tend to alter hair follicle (HF) growth and cycling significantly by binding to locally expressed high-affinity estrogen receptors (ER). Tamoxifen (TAM) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). Objective The current work aims to investigate the effect of topically applied TAM on the hair growth of mice. Method The test formulations were applied once-a-day on the shaved back area of the mice consecutively for a period of five weeks. The effect of these formulations was studied by visual and histological examinations. Results The saline and placebo-gel formulation treated animals showed significant hair growth on the 20(th) day. The number and length of follicles were also found to be normal. In contrast, no hair growth was observed in the animals treated with TAM-gel, even after the termination of treatment. The HFs found to be arrested in telogen phase with clear signs of follicle dystrophy. Conclusion Hair growth retarding effect of TAM observed in the current studies, clearly demonstrates its ER agonistic effect on hair growth. This work also provides a distinct lead towards the possible potential of TAM liposomal-gel in the treatment of hirsutism.
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