Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences

Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences

Formulation and characterization of advanced nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) incorporating coenzyme Q10 and licorice extract to explore their synergistic anti-oxidant and antityrosinase effects

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hoda Atapour-Mashhad 1, 2
Afsaneh Hoseinsalari 3
Zahra Tayarani-Najaran 4, 5
Javad Asili 6
Armita Sedighidarijani 1
Shiva Golmohhamadzadeh 1, 2
1 Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3 Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4 4 Medical Toxicology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
5 Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
6 Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
10.22038/ijbms.2026.95548.20588
Abstract
Objective(s): The development of novel nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) formulations incorporating coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) and licorice extract (LE) was investigated to evaluate their synergistic effects as an anti-oxidant and antityrosinase agent, respectively.
Materials and Methods: LE was obtained by maceration and quantified by HPLC. The NLCs F1-F8 were prepared and thoroughly characterized for particle size, entrapment efficiency (EE) %, and long-term stability. The cytotoxicity and protective effects of the NLC formulations on B16F10 murine melanoma cells were evaluated by MTT assay, ROS levels by DCFH-DA assay, and anti-tyrosinase activity. Melanin content was determined spectrophotometrically.
Results: The ethyl acetate fraction of LE, containing 6.59 mg/g of liquiritin and 31.71 mg/g of glabridin, was successfully encapsulated with Co-Q10 in the NLC matrix. Characterization of the formulations (F1 to F8) demonstrated favorable surface properties, with Z-average sizes ranging from 146 to 248 nm, polydispersity indices (PDI) between 0.21 and 0.27, and zeta potentials from -5 to -15 mV, indicating acceptable physicochemical stability over six months and EE% exceeding 69%. Furthermore, these formulations significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and tyrosinase activity in cell assays compared to controls, without exhibiting cytotoxic effects. Notably, NLCs with 1:1, 1:0.5, and 0.5:1 Co-Q10:LE ratios showed greater efficacy than the individual components, with formulation F8 (Co-Q10/LE: 0.5/1) displaying the most pronounced synergistic effect.
Conclusion: The Co-Q10/LE-NLC formulations (F1-F8) demonstrate stable physicochemical characteristics, indicating their suitability for topical use in anti-aging and skin-lightening treatments.
Keywords
Anti-tyrosinase
Coenzyme Q10
Licorice extraction
NLC
sROS inhibition
Synergistic effect
Subjects
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Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 31 October 2026