Taurine-based Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Ionic Liquids Modulate the Perifollicular Microenvironment for...

The pathological process of androgenic alopecia (AGA) is closely associated with oxidative stress in the perifollicular microenvironment. Existing antioxidant small-molecule drugs are often constrained by low permeability, necessitating the urgent development of active therapeutic agents that can effectively penetrate the skin barrier and precisely deliver antioxidants to hair follicles. This study reported a taurine-based active pharmaceutical ingredient ionic liquid (CTIL) synthesized via a one-step method, which not only acted as a delivery carrier but also served as a therapeutic material capable of modulating the perifollicular microenvironment by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). An in vitro study demonstrated that the hydrogen-bond network structure of CTIL facilitated its penetration through the stratum corneum barrier, thus improving the targeted accumulation of taurine within deep hair follicle structures. More importantly, in the AGA animal model, CTIL effectively eliminated excessive ROS in the perifollicular microenvironment, alleviated tissue oxidative damage and inflammatory infiltration, thereby inhibiting the miniaturization process of hair follicles and promoting hair regrowth. This study provided an innovative strategy integrating delivery and treatment for AGA therapy and revealed the potential of bioactive ionic liquids in regulating the microenvironment of skin diseases.