Self-microemulsifying formulation-based oral solution of coenzyme Q10

Abstract

The goal of our investigation was to develop oral solution of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) by using self-emulsifying systems. CoQ10 is practically insoluble in water. Therefore, it is difficult to develop oral solution of CoQ10. To solubilize CoQ10 and to develop it as oral solution, self-emulsifying systems consisted of oil, surfactant and co-surfactant were studied and using the self-emulsifying system chosen, oral solution was developed. After the evaluation of solubilizing abilities of various oils and surfactants, the self-emulsifying system consisted of acetylated monoglyceride (AM) as oil, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (P2SM) as surfactant and propylene glycol laurate (PGL) as co-surfactant, was chosen because the emulsions prepared by that system showed spontaneous emulsification and transparent appearance. All of these components could be used for the development of functional foods. Finally, a CoQ10 solution with concentrations of 100 mg/70 ml and 100 mg/100 ml could successfully be developed by the addition of water to one milliliter of self-emulsifying system consisted of AM (10%), P2SM (70%) and PGL (20%) along with 100 mg of CoQ10. This oral solution formulation was stable for more than one month. © 2009 The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.