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. 2003 May 27;4(3):24–35. doi: 10.1208/pt040332

Preparation and characterization of novel coenzyme Q10 nanoparticles engineered from microemulsion precursors

Cheng-Hsuan Hsu 1, Zhengrong Cui 1, Russell J Mumper 1, Michael Jay 1,✉
PMCID: PMC2750625  PMID: 14621964

Abstract

The purpose of these studies was to prepare and characterize nanoparticles into which Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) had been incorporated (CoQ10-NPs) using a simple and potentially scalable method. CoQ10-NPs were prepared by cooling warm microemulsion precursors composed of emulsifying wax, CoQ10, Brij 78, and/or Tween 20. The nanoparticles were lyophilized, and the stability of CoQ10-NPs in both lyophilized form and aqueous suspension was monitored over 7 days. The release of CoQ10 from the nanoparticles was investigated at 37°C. Finally, an in vitro study of the uptake of CoQ10-NPs by mouse macrophage, J774A.1, was completed. The incorporation efficiency of CoQ10 was approximately 74%±5%. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) showed that the nanoparticle was not a physical mixture of its individual components. The size of the nanoparticles increased over time if stored in aqueous suspension. However, enhanced stability was observed when the nanoparticles were stored at 4°C. Storage in lyophilized form demonstrated the highest stability. The in vitro release profile of CoQ10 from the nanoparticles showed an initial period of rapid release in the first 9 hours followed by a period of slower and extended release. The uptake of CoQ10-NPs by the J774A.1 cells was over 4-fold higher than that of the CoQ10-free nanoparticles (P<.05). In conclusion, CoQ10-NPs with potential application for oral CoQ10 delivery were engineered readily from microemulsion precursors.

Keywords: Coenzyme Q10, nanoparticles, microemulsion, stability, cell uptake

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