A combination therapy for androgenic alopecia based on quercetin and zinc/copper dual-doped mesoporous silica nanocomposite microneedle patch

Zhaowenbin Zhang; Wenbo Li; Di Chang; Ziqin Wei; Endian Wang; Jing Yu; Yuze Xu; Yumei Que; Yanxin Chen; Chen Fan; Bing Ma; Yanling Zhou; Zhiguang Huan; Chen Yang; Feng Guo; Jiang Chang

doi:10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.12.007

A combination therapy for androgenic alopecia based on quercetin and zinc/copper dual-doped mesoporous silica nanocomposite microneedle patch

Bioact Mater. 2022 Dec 13:24:81-95. doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.12.007. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Authors

Zhaowenbin Zhang^{1

2

3}, Wenbo Li⁴, Di Chang^{1

5}, Ziqin Wei^{1

3}, Endian Wang^{1

3}, Jing Yu^{1

3}, Yuze Xu^{1

3}, Yumei Que², Yanxin Chen², Chen Fan², Bing Ma^{1

3}, Yanling Zhou^{1

3}, Zhiguang Huan^{1

3}, Chen Yang², Feng Guo⁴, Jiang Chang^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of High-Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, PR China.
² Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang, 325000, PR China.
³ Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China.
⁴ Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200025, PR China.
⁵ Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, PR China.

Abstract

A nanocomposite microneedle (ZCQ/MN) patch containing copper/zinc dual-doped mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with quercetin (ZCQ) was developed as a combination therapy for androgenic alopecia (AGA). The degradable microneedle gradually dissolves after penetration into the skin and releases the ZCQ nanoparticles. ZCQ nanoparticles release quercetin (Qu), copper (Cu²⁺) and zinc ions (Zn²⁺) subcutaneously to synergistically promote hair follicle regeneration. The mechanism of promoting hair follicle regeneration mainly includes the regulation of the main pathophysiological phenomena of AGA such as inhibition of dihydrotestosterone, inhibition of inflammation, promotion of angiogenesis and activation of hair follicle stem cells by the combination of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions and Qu. This study demonstrates that the systematic intervention targeting different pathophysiological links of AGA by the combination of organic drug and bioactive metal ions is an effective treatment strategy for hair loss, which provides a theoretical basis for development of biomaterial based anti-hair loss therapy.

Keywords: Androgenic alopecia; Microneedle; Nanocomposites; Quercetin; Zn2+ and Cu2+ dual-doping.