Effect of Pumpkin Seed Oil for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: Formulation and In-Vitro Evaluation

Objectives: To formulate and evaluate a pumpkin seed oil hair gel for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Methods: Pumpkin seed oil has a broad spectrum of anti-androgenic properties, making it appropriate for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Pumpkin seed oil gel is composed of Carbopol 940 and HPMC K100 as gelling agents, pumpkin seed oil as an active ingredient, propylene glycol as a co-solvent, and ethanol as preservative and required quantity of distilled water as vehicle. Results: Physical parameters like FT-IR study of pumpkin seed oil showed satisfactory results. The prepared gel was tested for various properties like pH, drug content, clarity, viscosity, extrudability, spreadability etc. In-vitro release and cell cytotoxicity studies proved that formulation F3 is an optimized one that is non-irritant. Conclusion: Based on the present study, gel formulations of pumpkin seed oil F3 had excellent physicochemical properties and in vitro drug release in comparison to other formulations.