Longquan Pi

Longquan Pi


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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20 December 2025 in Pharmaceuticals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LZLiu Zhiqing
Liu Zhiqing
WHWenhua Huang
Wenhua Huang
SXShanhua Xu
Shanhua Xu
MNMeilan Nan
Meilan Nan
XCXian Cui
Xian Cui
LPLongquan Pi
Longquan Pi
Background: Topical minoxidil remains the only FDA-approved treatment for hair loss, yet its clinical efficacy is compromised by organic-solvent-induced scalp irritation and poor patient adherence. This study aimed to evaluate natural illite as a carrier for minoxidil and to explore its potential hair-growth-promoting mechanisms. Methods: Thermal–acid-modified illite was engineered as a spray-dried, hydroalcohol-free minoxidil carrier for topical application. Hair regrowth efficacy was assessed in C57BL/6 mice via a 14-day depilation model. Mechanisms were elucidated via RNA-seq, Ki67/TUNEL immunofluorescence, and p-STAT3 immunohistochemistry. Results: Modified illite resulted in a 4.2-fold surface area increase and successful minoxidil loading. The minoxidil/illite formulation demonstrated efficacy equivalent to that of free minoxidil while also eliminating solvent toxicity. Mechanistic analysis revealed that illite functions as an active carrier: both the illite-alone and minoxidil/illite-treated groups exhibited increased Ki67+ proliferation and reduced TUNEL+ apoptosis. Transcriptomic profiling demonstrated dual mechanisms—enrichment of Myc proliferation pathways and suppression of IL-6 inflammatory signaling (p < 0.001)—with reduced p-STAT3 expression confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Conclusions: These findings suggest that an illite-based carrier can enable topical delivery of minoxidil with preserved efficacy and that illite itself exhibits intrinsic hair-growth-promoting activity via anti-inflammatory and pro-proliferative mechanisms, which may help alleviate adherence barriers associated with conventional topical alopecia therapy.

24 April 2026 in Acta Biomaterialia
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
JMJunyao Ma
Junyao Ma
YSYilin Song
Yilin Song
LFLiang Fang
Liang Fang
Peng QuanPeng Quan
Peng Quan
NLNan Li
Nan Li
Chao LiuChao Liu
Chao Liu