Genotoxic risk in humans and acute toxicity in rats of a novel oral high-dose coenzyme Q10 oleogel.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation has demonstrated to be safe and effective in primary and secondary CoQ10 deficiencies. Previously, we have designed a high-dose CoQ10 oleogel (1 g/disk) with excipients used in quantities that do not represent any toxic risk. However, it was necessary to demonstrate their safety in the final formulation. Following this purpose, an acute toxicity study of the oleogel in rats was performed. Furthermore, the genotoxic risk was evaluated in human volunteers after CoQ10 supplementation with oleogel and compared to the solid form (1 g/three 00-size-capsules). In addition, the general health status and possible biochemical changes of the participants were determined using serum parameters. Results suggested the absence of adverse effects caused by the interaction of the components in the oleogel formulation. Therefore, we conclude that the designed novel high-dose CoQ10 oleogel was safe for oral consumption.

High-dose coenzyme Q10-loaded oleogels for oral therapeutic supplementation.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a mitochondrial respiratory cofactor and potent endogenous antioxidant. In CoQ10-deficient patients, early treatment with high-oral doses (5-50 mg/kg/day) can limit the progression of renal disease and the onset of neurological manifestations. Crystalline CoQ10 is lipophilic, water-insoluble, and poorly absorbed in the gut. Here, CoQ10 showed low bulk density, another important disadvantage in solid oral formulations. Thus, we propose the use of oleogels to maintain dissolved a high-dose of CoQ10 in medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, using ethylcellulose (EC) for gelling, and a surfactant (sorbitan monostearate -SMS- or lecithin). "True gels" were only obtained with the surfactant presence. Thermoreversible oleogels with 1 g of dissolved CoQ10 per 5 g-disk were successfully developed with proved stability and solubility for 12 months (25.0 °C). SMS was better than lecithin as a surfactant because it allowed lower syneresis, higher CoQ10 retention for 12 months, and notably higher oxidative-stability of the MCT-oil, best immobilized by its true gel network. Plastic deformation without fracture was determined under compression, emulating the soft deformation behavior inside the mouth. SMS-oleogels allowed loading a maximal solubilized CoQ10 dose with maximal stability, and may be easier to swallow by CoQ10-deficient patients who suffer from secondary dysphagia.