Stevioside, a natural sweetener derived from the Stevia plant, may be good for more than just sweetening your tea. Recent research suggests it could make Minoxidil more effective too.
Minoxidil is a clinically proven treatment for hair loss, but it struggles to reach the hair follicles on its own. That’s why researchers have been developing new ways to help it get where it needs to go.
New research on Minoxidil delivery
The Minoxidil molecule is fairly bulky, meaning it can’t penetrate the skin deeply enough to reach the hair follicles by itself. To overcome this, topical Minoxidil are usually dissolved in an alcoholic formulation containing ethanol and propylene glycol, which helps the molecules pass through layers of your skin to reach the hair follicles.
Scientists have already come up with a few ways that could enhance Minoxidil absorption: for instance, studies show Minoxidil is absorbed better when combined with topical Tretinoin. Microneedling, a technique which uses tiny needles to make small punctures in the scalp, has also been found to both increase Minoxidil absorption, and to boost hair growth independently by improving blood flow to the scalp and stimulating growth factors and cell turnover in hair follicles.
Now, scientists have developed a new delivery system which combines the benefits of microneedling and Minoxidil. Traditional microneedling uses a hand-held tool, like a dermaroller or dermastamp with small metal needles to make tiny punctures in the skin. The new approach uses ‘dissolving’ microneedles: biodegradable needles made from polymers that create micro-channels in the skin before dissolving to release the drug. They don’t need to be removed, and they allow for accurate, targeted dosing.
In early animal studies, scientists used dissolving microneedles made from hyaluronic acid loaded with Minoxidil. Even at just 10% of the typical topical dose, these microneedles achieved better hair regrowth results in mice than standard topical applications. Another study in 2023 tested a patch that gradually released Minoxidil over two weeks, offering a controlled, sustained delivery, potentially reducing the need for twice-daily application.
Why Stevioside?
Stevioside is particularly promising as a base material for these dissolving microneedles. It’s already widely used in the food industry as a safe natural sweetener, and it can carry Minoxidil through both the epidermis and dermis as the microneedles dissolve. This method allows for more precise dosing, longer-lasting effects, and potentially greater convenience compared with traditional topical sprays or foams.
In the latest study, researchers tested Stevioside-Minoxidil microneedles on mice that had been injected with testosterone to mimic the effects of androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness). The treatments successfully counteracted hair loss and helped follicles re-enter the growth (anagen) phase.
What’s next?
Although these results are exciting, it’s important to note it’s still very early days. All the research so far has been conducted in animal models. Human clinical trials are still needed to confirm safety, long-term effects, and how much better this approach truly is compared with existing Minoxidil treatments, whether topical or oral.
Still, the results are a step-forward in finding new ways to enhance Minoxidil’s effectiveness and make hair loss treatments simpler and more convenient.
All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.
