Effect of polyethyleneglycol on coenzyme Q10 bioavailability from nanosystems in vitro

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a natural antioxidant of the oil-soluble benzoquinone group that is involved in electron transport in mitochondria. CoQ10 possesses a broad spectrum of pharmacological activity. However, its insolubility in water and low bioavailability upon peroral administration are significant disadvantages. The present work was aimed at a biopharmaceutical evaluation of nanosystems (NS) with CoQ10 that are suitable for peroral administration and exhibit increased bioavailability in vitro. Solid NS of CoQ10 with polyethyleneglycol (PEG) carriers of various molecular weights (1,500; 6,000; 35,000) were prepared in order to increase the dissolution rate of CoQ10. The NS particle sizes were in the range 48.4 - 200.3 nm. The influences of the PEG molecular weight and the ratio of NS components were evaluated using dispersion analysis. Regression equations describing the effects of these factors on the drug-release and dissolution rates were obtained by processing the results. Response surfaces that adequately described drug dissolution were plotted.