Nanoemulsões contendo coenzima Q10 e resveratrol como potencial estratégia para o tratamento de hiperpigmentação cutânea induzida por quimioterapia

Abstract

Cancer is a highly prevalent and incident disease worldwide, with treatments that, while essential, often involve significant toxicity, including adverse effects such as cutaneous hyperpigmentation. To manage this adverse effect, depigmenting agents with antioxidant activity and/or tyrosinase-inhibiting properties, such as coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and resveratrol (RSV), are commonly employed. However, these molecules present biopharmaceutical challenges, including low aqueous solubility, poor permeability, and chemical instability. In this context, the use of nanoemulsion systems emerges as a valuable strategy to improve formulations and overcome these limitations. In the present study, nanoemulsions containing CoQ10 and RSV were developed using the phase inversion composition technique and characterized in terms of hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, pH, infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and rheology. The characterization revealed nanoscale droplets ranging from 110 to 250 nm in size, spherical in shape, with uniform distribution (PDI < 0.3) and anionic surface charge. Rheological analysis demonstrated that the viscosity of the oil phase influences the system's formation. Antioxidant profile studies showed that the nanoemulsion systems could maintain or enhance the in vitro antioxidant capacity of the active compounds. Furthermore, the formulations were evaluated for safety, with haemolytic potential and cell viability tests confirming the cytocompatibility of the systems. Thus, the developed systems were successfully characterized and tested, demonstrating satisfactory activity and safety.