Abstract:
The invention includes dosage formulations, dosage forms and related methods for providing oral dosage forms of low solubility active ingredients such as coenzyme Q10. The present invention includes a Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery System (SMEDDS) in the form of a self-microemulsifying mixture that comprises a combination of a hydrophilic surfactant and a lipophilic co-surfactant (forming a surfactant pair). The preferred surfactant pair comprises a hydrophilic surfactant and a lipophilic co-surfactant with respective HLB (Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance) values of more than 12 and less than 8 respectively. The systems also contain at least one lipophilic solvent. The formulations exhibited excellent dissolution properties and storage stability.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention regards methods and formulations related to dosage forms of coenzyme Q10 and similar low solubility active ingredients. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Coenzyme Q10 is a lipophilic (i.e. hydrophobic) pharmaceutical or nutrient substance with very low solubility in water (practically insoluble in water). Formulations of coenzyme Q10, e.g. for oral administration, are therefore mainly based on the use of oils or similar excipients as the carrier media. The products for oral administration formulated in this way and currently available commercially, such as, for example, Super Bio-Quinone (Pharma Nord, a Danish pharmaceutical company) and GNC preventive nutrition CoQ-10 (General Nutritional Corp.) have a very low bioavailability. 
     Common soft capsule formulations are solutions in oils or suspensions in lipophilic systems. Bioavailability studies from various publications have shown low bioavailability of Q10 in those conventional formulations. It is also known that conventional soft capsule products of Q10 have zero or very low dissolution. 
     In the case of Q10, in the past it has been dissolved in oils and emulsified by surfactants. However, conventional emulsions resulted from self-emulsifying systems often gave coarse droplets that are at micron (μ) scale. The droplet size distributions are often broad, ranging from about 1 to 100 micron. 
     The coarse droplet size and broad distribution are believed to be the main contributors to inconsistent dissolution behavior of coenzyme Q10 in soft capsule formulations. This behavior is believed to be dependent on density of the droplets which in turn are dependent on the ratio of oil to surfactants. Furthermore, the formation of conventional emulsions requires strong agitation. This is difficult to attain by the rotational speed of dissolution paddles (commonly less than 100 rpm). 
     In contrast to conventional emulsions, microemulsions are isotropic and produce droplet sizes in the nanometer range, typically less than 100 nm. The polydispersity is often narrow. The formation of microemulsions is typically fast, thermodynamically stable and thus, does not require vigorous stirring. It is a common procedure in dissolution testing that samples withdrawn are filtered through a 0.45 micron (or 450 nm) membrane filter. A microemulsion would have no problem in passing through the filter, while a conventional emulsion would risk broken droplets and active ingredients retained on the filter due to its hydrophobicity. 
     It is well known that soft capsules are limited by the amount of water that is in fill formulations, such that microemulsions cannot be encapsulated in the typical shell formulation. Accordingly, it is only practical to encapsulate the precursors of microemulsions that do not contain water, and that are capable of forming microemulsions upon contact with water. Such precursors are referred to as Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems or SMEDDS. 
     Prior fill formulations in the form of oil-based soft capsules continue to have difficulty providing optimum bioavailability owing to the low solubility of CoQ10, and the tendency of the product to crystallize over time. 
     The problems to be solved by the present invention include increasing bioavailability while preventing crystallization of the CoQ10 active ingredient upon release. The present invention is further directed to providing dosage forms providing enhanced dissolution of Q10 for improved bioavailability. In addition, the present invention provides fill formulations that may be used effectively in soft capsule dosage forms. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The problem addressed by the present invention is the dispersion of Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) (“CoQ10”) for the purposes of preparing dosage forms, especially soft capsule dosage forms. 
     In general terms, the invention includes fill formulations, dosage forms, and related methods for providing low solubility active ingredients such as coenzyme Q10. These include fill formulations for soft capsules comprised of: (1) a hydrophobic therapeutic agent which has a water solubility less than 2% by weight; (2) a solubilizing system which is capable of self-microemulsifying upon contact with water, comprising (a) at least one hydrophobic solvent; (b) at least one hydrophobic/lipophilic surfactant (co-surfactant); (c) at least one hydrophilic surfactant (surfactant); and optionally a hydrophilic solvent. 
     The present invention includes a Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SMEDDS) in the form of a self-emulsifying mixture that comprises a combination of a hydrophilic surfactant and a lipophilic co-surfactant (forming a surfactant pair). The preferred surfactant pair comprises a hydrophilic surfactant and a lipophilic co-surfactant with respective HLB (Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance) values of more than 12 and less than 8 respectively. It is also preferred that the ratio of the hydrophilic surfactant to the lipophilic co-surfactant is in the range of from about 30:1, to about 3:1, the ratio of the surfactant to the co-surfactant depending on the HLB values of the individual surfactants and the polarity of the hydrophobic solvents used. The amount of hydrophobic solvents in the total of the excipients can range from 10-60% by weight, preferably 20-50% by weight, to maximize the loading of active ingredients. 
     Examples of hydrophilic surfactants that may be used in the present invention include polyethylene-glycol (PEG) fatty acid esters, PEG esters, PEG ethers, and PEG glycerides, such as PEG 35 Castor oil (Etocas 35, Croda), Polysorbate® 85 (or Crillet 45, Croda), Polysorbate® 80 (or Crillet 4, Croda), PEG 40, hydrogenated castor oil (e.g., Cremophor RH40, BASF), and saturated polyglycolysed glycerides (Labrafac Hydro WL1219, Gattefosse, France). 
     Examples of lipophilic co-surfactants that may be used in the present invention include non-ionic surfactants with HLB values less than 8, such as macrogolglycerides, sorbitan esters and mono- and diglycerides, glycol mono and diesters, glyceryl esters, PEG esters, such as linoleoyl macrogolglycerides (e.g., Labrafil M 2125 from Gattefosse, France), oleoyl macrogolglycerides (e.g., Labrafil M 1944 from Gattefosse, France), propylene glycol laurate (e.g., Lauroglycol FCC from Gattefosse, France), glyceryl mono-oleate (Croda), Span 80 (Croda), and medium chain mono- and di-glycerides (e.g., Capmul MCM C8 from Abitec Corporation, Columbus, Ohio). 
     It is preferred that the concentration of the hydrophilic surfactant in the self-emulsifying fill formulation is in the range of from about 20-70% by weight, and that the concentration of the lipophilic co-surfactant in the self-emulsifying mixture is in the range of from about 1.5-50% by weight. 
     The preferred embodiment of the self-emulsifying mixture also includes at least one hydrophobic solvent. It is also preferred that the concentration of the hydrophobic solvent(s) in the self-emulsifying fill formulation be in the range of from about 2-50%, preferably 10-40% by weight. Examples include one or more of the following or mixtures thereof: fatty acids, essential oils, aliphatic esters, triglycerides, such as oleic acid, isopropyl myristate, acetylated monoglycerides, medium chain triglycerides, peppermint oil, orange oil, and Lemon oil. It is preferred that the hydrophobic solvent comprises a combination of isopropyl myristate and Lemon oil. 
     The self-emulsifying mixtures of the present invention also preferably include at least one optional hydrophilic solvent or solubilizer, such as glycol ethers including diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (e.g. Transcutol® P, from Gattefosse, France), to facilitate reduction of droplet size. It is preferred that the ratio of the oil-surfactant-cosurfactant mixture to the solubilizer is about 10:0.2, preferably 10:1. 
     To prepare a soft capsule fill formulation, the self-emulsifying mixture of the present invention is combined with an active ingredient such as coenzyme Q10. This formulation in turn may be placed into soft capsules to prepare a dosage form. The inventive formulations can be prepared using conventional techniques known to those of skill in the art. The self-emulsifying mixtures of the present invention may also be advantageously applied to other low aqueous solubility active ingredients, such as those having water solubility less than about 2% by weight. Such low aqueous solubility active ingredients may include poorly water soluble therapeutic agents, pharmaceuticals, and health and nutritional ingredients. Examples include Loratadine, Vitamins A, D and E. 
     The present invention overcomes the principal problems associated with the poor solubility of CoQ10 in water and its tendency to crystallize over time. Also, as soft capsules cannot tolerate much water, the present invention provides a soft capsule with self-emulsifying properties leading to high bioavailability of water insoluble active ingredients such as CoQ10. 
     The formulations of the present invention result in translucent to clear liquids in water with no visible droplet formation, and give both release percentages and release rates that are superior to conventional formulations. 
     Thus, there is disclosed a composition comprising a self-emulsifying mixture comprising: (1) at least one hydrophilic surfactant; (2) at least one lipophilic co-surfactant, wherein the hydrophile-lipophile balance of said at least one hydrophilic surfactant is greater than 12 and the hydrophile-lipophile balance of said at least one lipophilic co-surfactant is less than 8; and (3) at least one hydrophobic solvent. 
     There is further disclosed a dosage form of a low solubility active ingredient, comprising: at least one low solubility active ingredient contained in a self-emulsifying mixture, said self-emulsifying mixture comprising: (1) at least one hydrophilic surfactant; (2) at least one lipophilic co-surfactant, wherein the hydrophile-lipophile balance of said at least one hydrophilic surfactant is greater than 12 and the hydrophile-lipophile balance of said at least one lipophilic co-surfactant is less than 8; and (3) at least one hydrophobic solvent. 
     There is also disclosed a dosage form of coenzyme Q10, comprising: coenzyme Q10 contained in a self-emulsifying mixture, said self-emulsifying mixture: (1) at least one hydrophilic surfactant; (2) at least one lipophilic co-surfactant, wherein the hydrophile-lipophile balance of said at least one hydrophilic surfactant is greater than 12 and the hydrophile-lipophile balance of said at least one lipophilic co-surfactant is less than 8; and (3) at least one hydrophobic solvent. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In view of the foregoing Summary, the following describes the preferred embodiments of the present invention, which are presently considered to be the best mode thereof. 
     Solubility Studies 
     To determine suitable excipient systems for actives, solubility studies were carried out on a variety of constituents of the inventive SMEDDS formulations. The solubility of Q10 in various oils, surfactants and co-surfactants were determined by placing an excess of the Q10 (approximately 2.5 g) in 22.5 g of the vehicle in screw capped glass bottles and heating the mixture to 55° C. in a water bath to facilitate the solubilization. Mixtures were equilibrated at room temperature for 24 hours and then filtered through 0.45 μm membrane filter to separate the undissolved drug. One gram of the filtered liquid mixtures were then weighed and diluted with cyclohexane and quantified by UV/Visible Spectrometry. The results are shown in Table 1. Lemon oil and isopropyl myristate provided higher solubility than other oils. Although not limited to a theory of operation, it is believed that the oils form a distinct core in the interior of the surfactant aggregate when being dispersed in water, resulting in enhanced solubilizing capacity of the oils with improved drug loading capabilities of the emulsion. 
     Preparation of Vehicle Compositions 
     Lipophilic surfactants with hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of less than 10 were found to promote some emulsification of the oil, but as a consequence, the emulsion droplets were found to be too coarse to be acceptable. Hydrophilic surfactants with hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) values of greater than 10 were found to be efficient in producing fine, uniform emulsion droplets. Their large surface area facilitates faster and more complete body absorption. More absorption takes place owing to the finer droplet size and hence larger surface area. However, to form a stable microemulsion when in contact with water, it has been found generally that a blend of high and low HLB surfactants are required. 
     A series of vehicle compositions of various formulations of SMEDDS were prepared (as described in Tables 2 and 3) with varying concentrations of oil (10-40% by weight), surfactant (20-65% by weight), and cosurfactant (10-70% by weight). Mixtures of oil, surfactant, and cosurfactant were accurately weighed into screw-capped glass vials and heated at 37° C. in a water bath and constantly swirled. In some mixtures, the oil-surfactant-cosurfactant mixture was mixed with Transcutol® P (a solubilizer) at 10:1 weight ratio 
     Visual Observations of Microemulsion Formation 
     To assess the performance of the prepared SMEDDS formulations, a visual test was used to assess the properties of the self-microemulsification. One gram of the self-emulsifying vehicle composition mixture was added to 100 g of water in a glass beaker, all at a constant temperature of 37° C. while stirring. The tendency of the formulations to emulsify spontaneously and the progress of emulsion droplets were also observed. An emulsion was considered to be “good” when the droplets were fine and formed a clear/milky emulsion that is uniformly distributed. An emulsion was considered to be “bad” when there was poor or no emulsion formation with immediate coalescence of oil droplets, especially when this occurred after stirring was stopped. 
     One method of identifying whether a microemulsion has been formed is to take 1 part of the formulation and dilute in water by 100 times. If the water mix is translucent or clear, it indicates the formation of microemulsion. All excipient systems were diluted with water in the same ratio (×100) and compared according to the appearance from clear to cloudy to phase separation. By comparing the sample sequence with trial formulas, the relationship of excipient ratios to the likelihood of microemulsion formation was established. 
     Preparation of SMEDDS Formulations 
     To prepare SMEDDS formulations, components of the SMEDDS formulations (i.e., oil(s), surfactant, cosurfactant and coenzyme Q10 and also a solubilizer if applicable) were accurately weighed into screw-capped glass vials and swirled in a water bath heated to 37° C. 
     Dissolution Studies 
     Prepared formulations were weighed into size 0 hardshell capsules for preliminary dissolution studies. Each capsule represents a 30 mg dose of coenzyme Q10. Dissolution profiles of the capsules filled with the self-microemulsifiable formulations were determined using USP Apparatus 2 (paddles) at 37° C. and at a rotating speed of 75 rpm in 1000 mL of water. Capsules were held to the bottom of the vessel using paperclips. Samples were filtered using a 0.45 membrane filter and assayed for the coenzyme Q10 by HPLC. The dissolution experiments were carried out in duplicate. 
     HPLC Analysis 
     The coenzyme Q10 was analyzed using a C18, 3.9 mm ID×30 mm column. The mobile phase consisted of 100% methanol and was pumped at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. 
                                                                                         TABLE 1                   Solubility of Coenzyme Q10 (% w/w)                    Exact   Sample   50 mL   100 mL   200 mL   Solubility               amount   conc   sample   sample   sample   of           Average   (mg)   (mg/mL)   solution of   solution of   solution of   coenzyme           Absorbance at   dissolved   in   coenzyme   coenzyme   coenzyme   Q10 (%       Sample   405 nm   in solvent   solvent   Q10 (mg)   Q10 (mg)   Q10 (mg)   w/w)                    Lemon oil   0.88050   1054.0   1.2791   —   —   255.8   24.3       Isopropyl   0.38730   1007.7   0.56260   —   —   112.5   11.2       myristate       Acetylated   0.52670   1019.8   0.76500   —   76.50   —   7.5       monoglycerides       Labrafil M   0.82900   1018.8   1.2040   60.21   —   —   5.91       1944       Labrafil M   0.37300   1011.9   0.54190   —   54.19   —   5.35       2125       Oleic acid   0.26350   1006.3   0.38300   —   38.30   —   3.80       Medium   0.26000   1009.2   0.37760   —   37.76   —   3.74       chain       triglycerides       Span 80   0.44480   998.10   0.64620   32.31   —   —   3.24       Labrafac   0.44250   1012.6   0.64300   32.14   —   —   3.17       Hydro       WL1219       Lauroglyco   0.42360   1005.2   0.61500   30.77   —   —   3.06       190       Lauroglyco 1   0.21720   1033.0   0.31550   —   31.55   —   3.05       FCC       Glyceryl   0.33370   1003.8   0.48500   24.24   —   —   2.41       mono-oleate       PEG 35   0.30160   1005.9   0.47280   23.64   —   —   2.34       Castor oil       Polysorbate   0.21870   1011.4   0.31770   15.89   —   —   1.57       85       Capmul   0.20730   1001.6   0.30110   15.05   —   —   1.50       MCM C8       Polysorbate   0.04760   1001.6   0.07460    3.730   —   —   0.370       80       Transcutol P   0.03560   1011.0   0.05160    2.580   —   —   0.260                    
Examples of Formulations
 
     Once excipient systems were developed, coenzyme Q10 was added at different concentrations to find a physically stable formula that does not recrystallize over time. The formulas were prepared as described above. 
     Tables 2, 3 and 4 show constituents of respective first, second and third formula series using combinations of oils, surfactants and solvents/solubilizers in various combinations. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Q10 Trial Formula Series 1 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 AT-Q10-5 
                 AT-L-Q10-5 
                 A-Q10-5 
                 A-L-Q10-5 
               
               
                 Description 
                 Parts 
                 Parts 
                 Parts 
                 Parts 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Isopropyl 
                 40 
                 20 
                 40 
                 20 
               
               
                 myristate 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Lemon oil 
                 0 
                 20 
                 0 
                 20 
               
               
                 Span 80 
                 10 
                 10 
                 10 
                 10 
               
               
                 Polysorbate 80 
                 50 
                 50 
                 50 
                 50 
               
               
                 Transcutol P 
                 10 
                 10 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Q10 
                 5 
                 5 
                 5 
                 5 
               
               
                 Total 
                 115 
                 115 
                 105 
                 105 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Q10 Trial Formula Series 2 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 AT-Q10-4 
                 AT-L-Q10-4 
                 A-Q10-4 
                 A-L-Q10-4 
               
               
                 Description 
                 Parts 
                 Parts 
                 Parts 
                 Parts 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Isopropyl 
                 40 
                 20 
                 40 
                 20 
               
               
                 myristate 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Lemon oil 
                 0 
                 20 
                 0 
                 20 
               
               
                 Span 80 
                 10 
                 10 
                 10 
                 10 
               
               
                 Polysorbate 80 
                 50 
                 50 
                 50 
                 50 
               
               
                 Transcutol P 
                 10 
                 10 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 Q10 
                 4 
                 4 
                 4 
                 4 
               
               
                 Total 
                 114 
                 114 
                 104 
                 104 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Q10 Trial Formula Series 3 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 AL-13-Q10B 
                 AL-14-Q10B 
                 AL-16-Q10B 
                 AL-17-Q10B 
               
               
                 Description 
                 Parts 
                 Parts 
                 Parts 
                 Parts 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Isopropyl 
                 30 
                 25 
                 20 
                 30 
               
               
                 myristate 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Lemon oil 
                 10 
                 10 
                 20 
                 10 
               
               
                 Span 80 
                 5 
                 5 
                 2.5 
                 2.5 
               
               
                 Polysorbate 80 
                 55 
                 60 
                 57.5 
                 57.5 
               
               
                 Q10 
                 4.76 
                 4.76 
                 4.76 
                 4.76 
               
               
                 Total 
                 104.76 
                 104.76 
                 104.76 
                 104.76 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Table 5 shows the fill formulations calculated as 30 mg Q10 per capsules and fill volume. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Fill Formulas and Fill Volume 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 A-L-7- 
                 A-L-13- 
                 A-L-16- 
                 A-L-17- 
                 A-L- 
               
               
                   
                 Q10B 
                 Q10B 
                 Q10B 
                 Q10B 
                 Q10-5 
               
               
                 Ingredients 
                 (mg/cap) 
                 (mg/cap) 
                 (mg/cap) 
                 (mg/cap) 
                 (mg/cap) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Isopropyl 
                 126 
                 189 
                 126 
                 189 
                 120 
               
               
                 myristate 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Span 80 
                 31 
                 32 
                 16 
                 16 
                 60 
               
               
                 Polysorbate 
                 346 
                 347 
                 362 
                 362 
                 300 
               
               
                 80 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Lemon Oil 
                 126 
                 63 
                 126 
                 63 
                 120 
               
               
                 Coenzyme 
                 30 
                 30 
                 30 
                 30 
                 30 
               
               
                 Q10 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Fill weight 
                 660 
                 662 
                 660 
                 659 
                 630 
               
               
                 (mg) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Fill volume 
                 11.2 
                 11.2 
                 11.2 
                 11.1 
                 10.7 
               
               
                 (minim) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Dosage formulations prepared in accordance with the present invention compare favorably with the best coenzyme Q10 formulations presently known in market: Ogel and Maxisorb. The fill weights of the currently offered formulations in the market containing 30 mg of Q10 are approximately 900 mg per capsule. The formulations, prepared in accordance with the present invention yield fill weights that are substantially less, about 660 mg, to deliver the same amount of active ingredient. Therefore, the present invention offers the possibility of using capsule sizes that are smaller than the best commercial comparative products. This makes the capsule easier to swallow. Viewed from the perspective of capsule size, higher levels of active ingredient may be offered in a capsule size that is the same as lower levels of commercially prepared products. 
     Instrumental Analysis of Droplet Size 
     The droplet sizes of selected formulations in water were measured with a Zetasizer 3000. Some of the results from the prepared formulations are presented in 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Droplet Sizes of Microemulsions 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Diameter 
               
               
                   
                 Samples 
                 Volume mean (nm) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 A-Q10-4 
                 36.3 
               
               
                   
                 AL-16-Q10-B 
                 30.7 
               
               
                   
                 AL-17-Q10-B 
                 34.1 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The results confirmed that the formulations in Table 6 produced microemulsions. 
     Dissolution Study in Hard Shell Capsules 
     The fill samples containing 30 mg of Q10 were weighed into hard shells for dissolution study, to simulate dissolution from a soft capsule. Hard shell samples were anchored at the bottom of dissolution flasks by paper clips. All samples contain 30 mg of coenzyme Q10 per capsule. The best two commercial samples, Q-Gel and Maxisorb products, were tested in parallel. A summary of dissolution results is provided in Table 7 below. The dissolution conditions were USP apparatus 2 (paddles); stirring at 75 RPM in 1000 mL of water. Samples were taken at 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes and filtered through 0.45 micro filter. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Dissolution results 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Capsule 
                   
                 Time at max 
               
               
                   
                 Fill weight 
                 size 
                 Max % 
                 % release 
               
               
                 Samples 
                 (mg) 
                 (die) minims 
                 release 
                 (min) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 A-Q10-4 
                 780 
                 16 
                 100 
                 15 
               
               
                 A-Q10-5 
                 630 
                 12 
                 97 
                 30 
               
               
                 AT-Q10-4 
                 857 
                 16 
                 91 
                 45 
               
               
                 AT-L-Q10 
                 502 
                 11 
                 84 
                 45 
               
               
                 Q-gel 
                 896 
                 16 
                 94 
                 60 
               
               
                 Maxisorb 
                 ~900 
                 16 
                 99 
                 30 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Sample A-Q10-4 released 100% of Q10 within 15 minutes. Considering that conventional soft capsule formulations of coenzyme Q10 in oils and suspensions have zero dissolution, the results obtained by the inventive formula are excellent and surprising. Taking into account that hard shells rupture slightly faster than soft capsule capsules due to differences in capsule wall thickness, the dissolution of A-Q10-4 is better than or at least comparable to benchmark products Qgel and Maxisorb in terms of release speed and percent of the active. It should be noted that the release of the active ingredient (i.e., coenzyme Q10) appears to be directly related to the clarity of the emulsions. The clearer the emulsion, the faster and more completely it releases Q10. 
     The clarity of the emulsion is related to the size of droplets. Naked eyes can distinguish droplets as low as about 15 micron, seen as cloudy liquid. When the droplets are down to nanometer range, particularly below 100 nm which are in the range of microemulsions, translucent or clear liquids are seen. In fact, formulation A-Q10-4 in water produced the clearest liquid among trial samples in Table 7. This formulation was shown to be a microemulsion by instrumental analysis. Therefore, one can conclude that the dramatic improvement of coenzyme Q10 dissolution is due to the formation of a microemulsion. 
     Storage Stability of Formulations 
     Recrystallization of Q10 from liquid phase could take days or weeks due to its low melting point. To eliminate recrystallization for better shelf life, while still maintaining optimum dissolution properties, additional experiments were conducted to identify physically stable dosage formulations. The samples were found free of recrystallined COENZYME Q10 as set forth in Table 8. 
                                   TABLE 8                   Storage Stability of Formulations                Samples   Number of days free of crystals                   A-L-Q10-5   More than 80 days           A-L-Q10-4   More than 80 days           AT-L-Q10-4   More than 80 days           AL-16-Q10-B   More than 30 days                    
Encapsulation in Soft Capsules
 
     The optimized fill formulation has been successfully encapsulated in soft gelatin capsules and soft vegetarian capsules (Vegicaps®, Cardinal Health 409, Inc.) The composition of Vegicaps and process of making soft capsules therewith is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,337,045. 
     Industrial Applicability 
     In summary, new Self-Micro-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems have been developed for coenzyme Q10 soft capsules. Typical formulations are composed of Lemon oil, Isopropyl myristate, Polysorbate 80 and Span 80 as excipients. It may also contain Transcutol P as a solubilizer. However, excipients are not limited to those mentioned ingredients. The method of formulation is also suitable for other poorly water soluble substances. Other excipient mixtures can be constructed by using the principles explained herein and is within the ability of one skilled in the art. The formulations displayed excellent dissolution properties, fast and maximum release of the coenzyme Q10 active ingredient. The fill formula is storage stable, and provides the added advantage that the capsule size would be smaller than the best presently available commercial samples containing the same amount of active ingredient. 
     The foregoing demonstrates that the present invention offers advantages over prior formulations including eliminating some of the disadvantages of those formulations. The soft capsule formulations of the present invention offer a new Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery System (SMEDDS) for coenzyme Q10 that is better than commercial oil solution or suspension formulations. The formulations of the present invention displayed substantial solubilization in water and maximum dissolution up to 100%. Conventional soft capsule products have zero or very low dissolution. 
     Apart from excellent dissolution properties, formulations of the present invention have the additional advantage of achieving smaller capsule size for the same dosage level, and the fill weights are at least 100 mg less than Q-Gel and Maxisorb (refer to Table 6). When capsule sizes are the same, the present inventive formulations allow higher levels of the active to be supplied. Smaller capsules are easier to swallow particularly for children and older people. 
     Furthermore, the manufacture of the fill formulations of the present invention is relatively simple and only requires standard mixing and heating equipment, while conventional emulsion methods require high energy input and shearing during processing. The fill formulations of the present invention are also physically stable without recrystallization during storage. Stable shelf life is critical for commercialization. 
     Solubility and dissolution are the limiting factors in bioavailability of coenzyme Q10. These factors have been successfully overcome by the SMEDDS developed in accordance with the present invention. Therefore, the bioavailability of the formulations of the present invention is expected to have higher bioavailability than prior art formulations. The principle, methodology and formulations developed in this application are not limited to coenzyme Q10. They are also applicable to other poorly water soluble pharmaceutical active ingredients for improving dissolution and bioavailability. 
     Having thus described the present invention in detail, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims and described in the specification.