Cubosomes as a Potential Oral Drug Delivery System for Enhancing the Hepatoprotective Effect of Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) acts as an antioxidant that protects the cells by preventing lipid peroxidation. Owing to its low solubility, CoQ10 has shown poor delivery properties and poor bioavailability. The aim of this study is to develop CoQ10 loaded cubosomes in order to enhance its oral delivery and hepatoprotective activity. Cubosomes are cubic nanostructured systems resulting from the colloidal dispersion of cubic liquid crystalline structure in water. CoQ10 loaded cubosomes were prepared using poloxamer 407 and glyceryl monooleate at three weight ratios (1:2.5, 1:5 and 1:7.5) and were further characterized. They were investigated for their hepatoprotective effect in thioacetamide (TAA) induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. The developed CoQ10 cubosomes exhibited moderate to high entrapment efficiency percentages (44.69–75.96%), nanometric dimensions (132.4–223.2 nm), and negatively charged zeta potential values (<-21.3). In-vitro release profiles showed a sustained release of CoQ10 from the developed cubosomes up to 48 h. In-vivo study revealed an improved hepatoprotective effect of CoQ10 cubosomes via reducing liver enzymes, nitric oxide and malondialdehyde as well as elevating phosphoinositide 3-kinase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, compared to plain drug. These results were in good agreement with histopathological investigations. Consequently, the developed cubosomes showed a potential effect in enhancing the hepatoprotective activity of CoQ10.