Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) represents a prevalent urological disease observed primarily among aging men. Celastrol (CELA) is an active natural compound with diverse pharmacological properties. The primary aim of this research is to assess the potential protective activity of CELA in testosterone (TEST)-induced BPH in rats. Male Wistar rats were allocated into six distinct groups for treatment: group 1 acted as the control and was given the vehicle; group 2 received only CELA (2 mg/kg, orally); group 3 was administered TEST alone (3 mg/kg, subcutaneously); groups 4 and 5 were administered the combination of TEST (3 mg/kg, subcutaneously) and CELA (1 or 2 mg/kg, orally); and group 6 received a combination of TEST (3 mg/kg, subcutaneously) and finasteride (FINA) (0.5 mg/kg, orally). Over a period of four weeks, CELA at doses of 1 or 2 mg/kg effectively inhibited the increase in both the prostate index and weight when compared to rats treated with TEST. CELA mitigated pathological alterations in prostate architecture, reduced the proliferation markers and modulated the expression of apoptosis markers compared to TEST-treated rats. Furthermore, CELA exhibited antioxidant properties by mitigating the TEST-induced increase in lipid peroxide levels and the depletion of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Moreover, CELA exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by significantly downregulating tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and nuclear factor-κB expression. In addition, CELA elevated phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and reduced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and AKT expression compared with the TEST group. In addition, CELA inhibited TEST-induced enhancement of mRNA expression of 5α-reductase type 2, androgen receptor and fibroblast growth factor 2. Overall, CELA partially alleviates TEST-induced BPH in rats, an effect that is associated with modulation of PTEN/PI3K/AKT axis.

Hair loss or alopecia is a universal problem faced by both men and women around the world. An individual's self-esteem is affected by alopecia, and it may lead to psychological stress and anxiety. Topical minoxidil, oral finasteride, and hair transplantation are the common procedures for treating alopecia. But these approaches are associated with various challenges due to high cost, poor patient compliance, and undesired side effects, thereby demanding new strategies for treating alopecia. Identifying novel approaches to treat alopecia has long been a major concern of dermatological research. Recently, microneedles (MNs) have received enormous attention in the field of transdermal drug delivery due to their biocompatible, noninvasive, and painless approach. They are micron-sized needles that have received huge attention in hair loss treatment. MNs can improve the efficiency of drugs as they can puncture the stratum corneum and release the therapeutic molecules at the site of action. This review highlights the potential use of MN-based therapies in treating alopecia. The various phases of hair growth, types of alopecia, and the role of MNs in promoting hair growth are discussed.

A 25-year-old man with androgenetic alopecia showed limited response to long-term minoxidil and finasteride. Three monthly Biosome treatment sessions were associated with progressive clinical improvement in apparent hair coverage on serial follow-up photographs, without treatment-related adverse events during the 3-month observation period. This case provides a hypothesis-generating clinical observation supporting further investigation of Biosome-based therapy using standardized and objective outcome measures.

Male infertility (MI) represents a complex clinical issue affecting millions of couples worldwide. Its diverse etiologies and incompletely elucidated mechanisms limit the development of effective therapeutic strategies. Animal models, serving as a bridge between basic research and clinical practice, play an indispensable role in simulating the pathophysiological processes of human MI, deciphering key underlying mechanisms, and screening and evaluating potential therapeutic agents. This review systematically summarizes the various animal models employed in MI research, including chemically induced models (e.g., using tripterygium glycosides or cyclophosphamide), endocrine-disrupting agent-induced models (e.g., using Bisphenol A (BPA) or finasteride), and physically induced models (e.g., via heat stress or experimental varicocele). We focus on elucidating the core pathological mechanisms these models recapitulate, encompassing oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, novel cell death pathways such as apoptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis, as well as endocrine disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Through an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of each model, associated signaling pathways-including the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway, and the NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and identified pharmacological targets, this article aims to provide insights into the complex etiology of human MI and offer a crucial theoretical foundation and experimental framework for the development and translation of novel mechanism-based therapeutics.

Background Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), highly prevalent among aging men, adversely affect the quality of life. Pharmacological management has evolved with multiple drug classes, but real-world prescribing patterns in India have not been adequately studied. Thus, we evaluated prescription trends among Indian urologists for the management of male LUTS, assessed symptom patterns, evaluated factors influencing choice of fixed-dose combination (FDC), with special focus on silodosin-mirabegron FDC, and identified adverse events (AEs) and adherence. Methods This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was performed over three months (January 2, 2026, to April 5, 2026) and included 110 Indian urologists actively managing male patients with LUTS. A 27-item structured questionnaire captured demographic characteristics, clinical practice patterns, and prescribing preferences for LUTS pharmacotherapy, including monotherapies, combination therapies, and FDCs, along with AEs and adherence. Results Of 135 urologists invited, 110 (81.48%) completed the survey. LUTS mainly involved a combination of storage, voiding, and post-micturition symptoms (n = 59, 53.6%). As a class, α1-blockers were the most frequently prescribed monotherapy (n = 109, 99.1% frequent/very frequent use), with silodosin (n = 98, 89.1%) and tamsulosin (n = 84, 76.4%) being most preferred. Use of dutasteride (n = 108, 98.2%) exceeded finasteride (n = 13, 11.8%). In patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with overactive bladder, silodosin-mirabegron was the most favored FDC (n = 97, 88.2%). FDCs of α1-blockers with muscarinic receptor antagonists and β-3 adrenergic agonists were preferred due to their proven efficacies (n = 83, 75.5% and n = 87, 79.1%, respectively) and lower incidences of AEs (n = 69, 62.7% and n = 80, 72.7%). Common AEs included dry mouth (n = 73, 66.4%), anejaculation (n = 69, 62.7%), and headache (n = 67, 60.9%). Moderate adherence (25%-75%) was reported by 95 (86.4%) urologists. Conclusion Adherence to pharmacotherapy, as assessed by participating urologists, was moderate, with urologists preferring silodosin as first-line therapy and silodosin-mirabegron FDC for mixed LUTS.

Background/Objectives: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common age-related disorder in elderly men and a major cause of lower urinary tract symptoms. Lycopus lucidus Turcz. ex Benth. has been traditionally used in East Asian medicine, but its effects on BPH have not been investigated. This study evaluated the effects of L. lucidus extract (LLE) on testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH in rats and explored associated changes in androgen metabolism. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were orchiectomized except for the sham group and injected with TP (3 mg/kg, s.c.) for 28 days. During TP exposure, rats received oral LLE (100 or 200 mg/kg/day), finasteride (1 mg/kg/day), or vehicle. Prostate weight, prostate index, and histological changes in the ventral prostate were evaluated. Serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein expression of 5α-reductase type 2, aromatase, Bax, and Bcl-2 in the ventral prostate tissue was analyzed by Western blotting. Results: LLE (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced prostate weight and prostate index and improved histological alterations, comparable to finasteride. LLE increased serum testosterone levels and decreased the dihydrotestosterone/testosterone ratio. Expression of 5α-reductase type 2 and aromatase in the ventral prostate tissue was significantly downregulated, while Bax and Bcl-2 expression and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio remained unchanged. Conclusions: LLE attenuated TP-induced prostatic hyperplasia in rats, suggesting that modulation of androgen metabolism may contribute to its anti-hyperplastic effects. These findings support further investigation of L. lucidus extract in BPH.

Background: Simultaneous controlled release of multiple therapeutics from a single dosage form is a major frontier in modern pharmaceutics and a key strategy for modernizing traditional Chinese medicine. Methods: Using finasteride (FIN) and a Jing-Zhu hybrid Tibetan (JZ) herbal medicine as model agents for prostatitis therapy, we developed a modified tri-fluid electrospinning process to fabricate drug-co-loaded Janus medicated nanofibers. Soluble polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and insoluble ethylcellulose (EC) served as carrier matrices for the dual faces of the Janus architecture, encapsulating JZ herbal medicine and FIN, respectively. A custom-designed spinneret-comprising two parallel stainless steel tubes nested within a plastic sheath-was engineered to enable side-by-side fiber formation. Results: Scanning and transmission electron microscopy confirmed linear morphologies with a definitive side-by-side Janus structure. X-ray diffraction and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy revealed that all active ingredients were dispersed in an amorphous state, reflecting polymer-drug compatibility. Encapsulation efficiencies reached 96.34 ± 0.47% for FIN and 94.15 ± 0.48% for JZ herbal medicine. A newly devised water-droplet assay demonstrated that almost all the nanofibers exhibited the intended side-by-side configuration, as evidenced by the rapid dissolution of the PVP side. In vitro release studies showed an initial pulsatile burst of JZ herbal medicine followed by a sustained FIN release profile, as suggested by the single-drug-loaded Janus nanofibrous controls. Conclusions: The present Janus nanostructure system, fabricated via a facile co-shell solvent electrospinning process, has the potential to enable the concurrent yet asynchronous delivery of FIN and JZ herbal components within a single nano-dosage form. This conceptual advance expands the toolkit for designing combination nanomedicines, allowing independent modulation of release kinetics for individual drugs to maximize prospective joint efficacy.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a prevalent hair-loss disorder with substantial psychosocial burden, while current treatments such as topical minoxidil and oral finasteride remain limited by insufficient follicular delivery, long-term adherence requirements, local irritation, systemic adverse effects, and recurrence after discontinuation. Microneedle (MN) technology offers a minimally invasive local intervention strategy by bypassing the stratum corneum, enhancing follicular exposure, reducing unnecessary systemic distribution, and providing mechanical stimulation to the scalp microenvironment. This review summarizes recent advances in MN-mediated intelligent combination delivery for hair regeneration, covering MN types, material selection, structural design, controlled-release strategies, and major therapeutic mechanisms, including antioxidative remodeling, pro-angiogenic support, growth factor and collagen delivery, immunomodulation, extracellular vesicle-based therapy, nanomedicine integration, and anti-androgenic intervention. We further discuss stimulus-responsive MN systems, including ROS-, pH-, enzyme-, temperature-, light-, ultrasound-, magnetic-, and electrically responsive platforms, as well as emerging closed-loop concepts that integrate sensing, data processing, and adaptive actuation. Importantly, we critically examine the gap between preclinical proof-of-concept studies and clinical translation, highlighting key challenges related to scalp-specific insertion, hair obstruction, payload stability, immune compatibility, scalable manufacturing, sterilization, patient usability, long-term safety, and regulatory uncertainty. By integrating mechanistic evidence with translational considerations, this review provides a structured perspective for researchers developing disease-tailored, microenvironment-oriented, and clinically feasible MN-based strategies for hair regeneration.

Hair loss (alopecia) is a multifactorial condition affecting humans and companion animals, including dogs and cats, with etiologies involving hormonal, immune-mediated, genetic, infectious, allergic, parasitic, and behavioral mechanisms. Although androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata are well characterized in humans, alopecia in veterinary patients more frequently reflects an underlying endocrine, hereditary, infectious, allergic, parasitic, or self-induced disorder. This review provides a comparative analysis of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, pharmacological management, and pharmaceutical formulation of nonscarring alopecia across species. In humans, United States Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments, including topical minoxidil, oral finasteride, and selected Janus kinase inhibitors, are supplemented by emerging approaches such as platelet-rich plasma, low-level laser therapy, regenerative medicine, and nanotechnology-based delivery systems. In contrast, veterinary management primarily depends on identification and correction of the underlying disorder, with limited species-specific evidence and few dedicated formulations. Differences in follicular architecture, hair-cycle kinetics, skin permeability, drug metabolism, coat characteristics, and grooming behavior preclude direct extrapolation of human therapies to dogs and cats. Dermatophytosis further illustrates the One Health relevance of comparative alopecia management because successful control may require coordinated treatment of affected animals and humans together with environmental decontamination. This review highlights the need for species-specific clinical trials, safety assessment, and formulation strategies to support the development of effective and practical treatments for human and veterinary alopecia.

The US FDA-approved oral finasteride and topical minoxidil for alopecia have adverse effects and fewer therapeutic outcomes, highlighting the need for alternative topical delivery approaches. This study aimed to develop and validate a robust and sustainable reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for the simultaneous quantification of cyclosporin A (CsA) and luteolin (Lu) in combined drug solutions and two compositionally distinct nanoformulations, namely nanosized emulsions and nanocapsules. The novelty of the study lies in integrating AQbD-assisted simultaneous CsA and Lu quantification with its application to two compositionally distinct nanoformulations, and a comprehensive assessment of analytical greenness and blueness. The AQbD approach was employed to systematically optimise chromatographic conditions. The optimised method employed a Phenomenex Luna C18 column (250 × 4 mm), acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid in water (pH 2.9), 206 nm wavelength, a flow rate of 1.2 ml/min, and a column temperature of 59 °C. CsA and Lu exhibited retention times of 9.14 and 6.04 min, respectively. The method demonstrated excellent linearity (R[2] = 0.9994 and 0.9996 for CsA and Lu, respectively), precision (%RSD <2%), and robustness, and was validated in accordance with ICH Q2(R2). Drug content and entrapment efficiency ranged from 69.80 to 86.17% and 57.66 to72.38%, respectively. Regardless of the two compositionally distinct nanoformulations, the Lu release was higher than the CsA release (57.42 ± 5.98% vs 12.24 ± 1.40%). Analytical sustainability was supported by an Eco-Scale score of 84, AGREE score of 0.63, GAPI assessment, and BAGI score of 75.