Relative Bioavailability of Coenzyme Q10 in Emulsion and Liposome Formulations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate relative bioavailability of the coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in emulsion and three liposome formulations after a single oral administration (60 mg/kg) into rats. Emulsion formulation of CoQ10 was prepared by conventional method using Phospholipon 85G as an emulsifier, and three liposome formulations (neutral, anionic, and cationic) of CoQ10 were prepared by traditional lipid film hydration technique using Phospholipon 85G, cholesterol, and charge carrier lipids (1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane chloride salt for cationic liposome and 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate monosodium salt for anionic liposome). Mean particle size of all CoQ10-loaded liposome was less than a micron, and size distribution of the liposome population was homogeneous. Bioavailability of CoQ10 in emulsion was 1.5 to 2.6-fold greater than liposome formulations in terms of $AUC_{0-24\;h}$. $T_{max}$ was 3 h when administered as emulsion while it was greater than 6 h in liposome formulations. Notably, it was approximately 8 h in cationic liposome. $C_{max}$ was highest in emulsion and was significantly decreased when administered as liposome. Charged liposome showed even lower $C_{max}$ than neutral liposome, especially in cationic liposome. In conclusion, therefore, it is suggested that clinicians and patients consider bioavailability issue a primary concern when choosing a CoQ10 product, especially when very high plasma level is required such as in the treatment of heart failure and Parkinson's disease.