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Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Evaluation of the Effect of Nano-Formulated Spironolactone and Progesterone on Inflammation and Hormonal Levels for Managing Hirsutism Experimentally Induced in Rats

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Abstract

Hirsutism is a dermatological condition that refers to the excessive growth of hair in androgen-sensitive areas in women. Recently, the enhancement of the visible signs of a hairy female has taken special concern that affected the quality of life. The present study was developed to compare the follicular targeting effect of topical spironolactone (SP) or progesterone (PG)-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) on the management of hirsutism. Four NLC formulations were prepared using cold homogenization techniques and pharmaceutically evaluated. SP-NLC and PG-NLC topical hydrogels were prepared to explore their pharmacological effect on letrozole induced polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in rats. Inflammatory mediators, antioxidant, and hormonal parameters were assayed. Additionally, histopathological examination was carried out to confirm the successful induction of PCOS. Results confirmed that all NLC formulations have a spherical shape with particle size ranged from 225.92 ± 0.41 to 447.80 ± 0.66 nm, entrapment efficiency > 75%, and zeta potential (− 31.4 to − 36.5 mV). F1 and F3 NLCs were considered as selected formulations for SP and PG, respectively. Female Wistar rats treated with F1 formulation for 3 weeks displayed better outcomes as manifested by the measured parameters as compared to the other tested groups. A significant reduction in hair follicle diameter and density was observed after topical application of SP or PG nano-gels. Finally, the outcomes pose a strong argument that the development of topically administered SP-NLC can be explored as a promising carrier over PG-NLC for more effectual improvement in the visible sign of hirsutism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

    Reham I. Amer & Ghada E. Yassin

  2. Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), Giza, Egypt

    Reham I. Amer & Ghada E. Yassin

  3. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), Giza, Egypt

    Reem A. Mohamed & Ahmed M. Fayez

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  1. Reham I. Amer
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  4. Ahmed M. Fayez
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Correspondence to Ahmed M. Fayez.

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Amer, R.I., Yassin, G.E., Mohamed, R.A. et al. Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Evaluation of the Effect of Nano-Formulated Spironolactone and Progesterone on Inflammation and Hormonal Levels for Managing Hirsutism Experimentally Induced in Rats. AAPS PharmSciTech 22, 204 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-021-02003-z

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