Cosmeceutical products containing Momordica charantia extract with hair loss prevention property

Abstract

Hair plays a significant role in social and sexual communication with a noticeable difference among ages and sexes. Consequently, the hair loss problem negatively influences self-confidence and mental health. The most common is androgenetic alopecia that is a condition caused by abnormalities at the gene level and affects the expression of the androgen. The mechanism is associated with the activity of 5α-reductase (5aR). Momordica charantia (M. charantia) is rich in flavonoids, which possess a strong antioxidant capacity and may help prevent hair loss. The aims of this were to develop the microemulsion of M. charantia with antioxidant activity and 5α-reductase (5aR) inhibitory activity. The total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and 5aR inhibitory activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the fruit were investigated. The preparation of M. charantia extractloaded microemulsion (MELM) was optimized and characterized the MELM. The aqueous extract of M. charantia fruit flesh displayed a TPC of 780.75 ± 24.82 mg Gallic acid equivalence/g of extract. ABTS (2,20 -azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6- sulphonic acid), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), and nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging activities were observed in all the extracts. About 0.461 ± 0.003 mg finasteride equivalence/g of extract of 5aR inhibitory activity was detected in the aqueous extract of the inner tissue of M. charantia fruit. Based on NO radical scavenging and 5aR inhibitory activity, an aqueous extract of the inner tissue (pericarp with seed) of M. charantia fruit was used to prepare the MELM. The MELM was prepared using a different ratio of tween 80 and ethanol as Smix. The results showed that the 1:1 ratio of tween 80: ethanol produced microemulsion of an optimum size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index. The efficiency of skin permeation showed that MELM had efficiency permeable through the skin than the water-soluble extract. The MELM samples were stored at 5, 30, and 40 ◦C for 12 weeks, and the stability was assessed. The results revealed that the size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index of the formulated MELM remained unchanged during the investigated time including the amount of extract ,pH and viscosity.