TPGS and Doca dual-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticle-supported lipid bilayers enhance the efficient delivery and in vivo absorption of Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has a wide range of nutraceutical functions and therapeutic values, nevertheless, its biomedical application as a health product or drug is hampered by the low absorption efficiency and bioavailability. In the present study, the hybrid mesoporous silica nanoparticle-supported lipid bilayers (LMSNs) as nanocarriers for CoQ10 are prepared by fusing the phospholipid membrane onto MSNs cores. Further, LMSNs are functionalized with d-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS), deoxycholic acid (Doca) and chitosan (CS) sequentially, to obtain the TPGS-LMSNs and DCs-TPGS-LMSNs samples, respectively. MSNs, liposomes, and unmodified LMSNs are also prepared as controls. The results reveal that various nanocarriers have a high loading capacity for CoQ10, low cytotoxicity towards Caco-2 cells, and sustained release property in different pH mediums. In contrast to other nano-formulations, [email protected] show the higher cellular uptake efficiency and the resulting ROS inhibition effect, which can be taken up by cells via caveolae-mediated route, macropinocytosis, and unique bile acid uptake pathway mediated by ASBT. Efficient delivery of DC-TPGS-LMSNs is further illustrated by in vivo intestinal uptake and pharmacokinetics study, in which [email protected] exhibit higher absorption efficiency, longer circulation time, and more enhanced bioavailability than other formulations after oral administration. The results suggest that multifunctional LMSNs might be the potent candidate for CoQ10 delivery, and the findings will contribute to the rational design of novel drug delivery vehicles.