Coenzyme Q(10) Analogues: Benefits and Challenges for Therapeutics

Coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10) or ubiquinone) is a mobile proton and electron carrier of the mitochondrial respiratory chain with antioxidant properties widely used as an antiaging health supplement and to relieve the symptoms of many pathological conditions associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Even though the hegemony of CoQ(10) in the context of antioxidant-based treatments is undeniable, the future primacy of this quinone is hindered by the promising features of its numerous analogues. Despite the unimpeachable performance of CoQ(10) therapies, problems associated with their administration and intraorganismal delivery has led clinicians and scientists to search for alternative derivative molecules. Over the past few years, a wide variety of CoQ(10) analogues with improved properties have been developed. These analogues conserve the antioxidant features of CoQ(10) but present upgraded characteristics such as water solubility or enhanced mitochondrial accumulation. Moreover, recent studies have proven that some of these analogues might even outperform CoQ(10) in the treatment of certain specific diseases. The aim of this review is to provide detailed information about these Coenzyme Q(10) analogues, as well as their functionality and medical applications.