A Co-Encapsulation of Coenzyme Q10 and Curcumin in Liposomes Coatedwith Chitosan (Q10-Cur-Lip-Chi) with Enhanced Solubility and Stabilityfor Good Release Performance and Antioxidative Activity

Background: Coenzyme Q10 (Q10) is a powerful lipophilic antioxidant with poor solubility in aqueous media. Curcumin (Cur) is a natural polyphenolic phytochemical molecule with poor aqueous solubility. Liposome is an improved administration of drugs yet with some drawbacks, such as low bioavailability, poor water solubility. It’s found biocompatible and permeable for nutraceutical delivery. Chitosan, a hydrophilic polymer, is often used as a polymer coating for its good biocompatible and biodegradable properties, and its relatively low toxicity level. Methods: Q10 and Cur co-loaded liposomes coated with chitosan (Q10-Cur-Lip-Chi) was constructed. The co-encapsulation of Q10 and Cur in liposomes coated with chitosan was verified by TEM, DLS, DSC, FT-IR, and XRPD. The release profile and antioxidant activity of Q10-Cur-Lip-Chi were accessed. Results: The particle size of Q10-Cur-Lip-Chi was about 1440 nm with narrow particle distribution. A satisfactory encapsulation efficiency (EE) of Q10 was about 98%, and 25% for that of Cur. Q10-Cur- Lip-Chi showed higher solubility and better pH resistance with 98.5% of Q10 and Cur retention at pH 7.0 - 9.0. Q10-Cur-Lip also showed great salt stability with a vesicle size change of less than 5%. PSof Q10-Cur-Lip-Chi changed less than 10% at 4°C of storage. Q10-Cur-Lip-Chi also exhibited a good controlled release profile with its accumulative release of less than 34% for Q10 and 30% for curcumin after 24 h. The Q10-Cur-Lip-Chi performed a synergistic effect on antioxidant activity reaching 41.86±1.84%, which was 5.9 times higher than that of Q10, 2.5 times higher than that of Cur, and 1.7 times higher than that of the mixture. Conclusion: Q10-Cur-Lip-Chi improves the solubility and stability of poorly water-soluble Q10 and Cur for good release performance and antioxidative activity.