sodium valproate-loaded nanospanlastics

Sodium valproate-loaded nanospanlastics is an investigational topical formulation developed by researchers at Kasr El Aini Hospital (Cairo University) for the treatment of alopecia areata. The formulation utilizes nanospanlastics—highly elastic, surfactant-based nanovesicles composed of Span 60 and edge activators (such as Tween 80 or Cremophor RH 40)—to enhance the dermal delivery of sodium valproate. While traditionally used as an antiepileptic, sodium valproate is repurposed here to stimulate hair regrowth by activating the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, likely through the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3beta) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), thereby inducing the anagen phase in hair follicles. A randomized controlled trial (NCT05017454) demonstrated that this topical dispersion has comparable efficacy to mometasone furoate in patients with mild to moderate patchy alopecia areata.

Other names

sodium valproate-loaded nanospanlastic dispersiontopical sodium valproate nanospanlastics