Development of nanoparticulate formulation of coenzyme Q10 and comparison of plasma coenzyme Q10 response in a single supplementation with regular coenzyme Q10 using rats

Bioavailability of a nanoparticulate formulation of coenzyme Q10 (NQ20), which has high stability in the water phase, was evaluated. The particle size was 188 nm, and the zeta potential value was between −38.8 and −44.8 mV at 4, 25, and 40°C in distilled water after eight weeks storage. Bioavailability of NQ20 was compared with a commercial coenzyme Q10 in oil and water phases as emulsified form using male Sprague-Dawley rats. After single oral administration of each coenzyme Q10 solution, the blood of rats was collected at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 12 h, and the concentrations of coenzyme Q10 were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The plasma coenzyme Q10 levels at 1, 2, and 12 h were significantly higher when the rats were administered NQ20 compared to coenzyme Q10 in oil. The maximum plasma concentration (C max) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) values for NQ20 were 1.10±0.18 and 5.92±1.11 mM·h/mL, whereas the Cmax and AUC of coenzyme Q10 in oil were 0.79±0.07 and 5.30±0.62 mM·h/mL, respectively (p >0.05). Due to high absorbability and small particle size, NQ20 was found to have similar bioavailability to commercial coenzyme Q10 in the oil phase. Results indicate applicability of NQ20 in the food industry, particularly in beverages.