EKSPLORASI METODE TRANSDERMAL DALAM OPTIMALISASI BIOAVAILABILITAS COENZYME Q10 (CoQ10): SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a lipophilic endogenous compound essential for mitochondrial energy production and antioxidant defense. However, its clinical effectiveness is limited by poor oral bioavailability, primarily due to low aqueous solubility, high molecular weight, and extensive first-pass metabolism. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the potential of transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) as an alternative strategy to enhance the bioavailability and physicochemical properties of CoQ10. A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases for studies published between 2021 and 2026. A total of 11 eligible studies were included after screening and selection. The findings indicate that various transdermal formulations, particularly nano- and lipid-based systems such as liposomes, nanostructured lipid carriers, ethosomes, and hydrogel-based systems, significantly improve CoQ10 solubility, stability, and skin permeation. Several studies reported notable enhancements in delivery performance, including up to 4–16-fold increases in transdermal efficiency and skin retention compared to conventional formulations. These improvements are attributed to reduced particle size, increased encapsulation efficiency, and enhanced interaction with the stratum corneum. Additionally, TDDS offers pharmacokinetic advantages such as bypassing first-pass metabolism and enabling controlled drug release. Despite these promising results, most evidence is derived from in vitro and ex vivo studies, with limited clinical validation. Therefore, further pharmacokinetic and clinical investigations are required to confirm the translation of these findings into improved systemic bioavailability. Overall, TDDS represents a promising platform for overcoming the limitations of conventional CoQ10 delivery.