Cocrystal of Lutein with Improved Stability and Bioavailability

Lutein (LT) is a natural carotenoid and is widely used for its vision protection and antioxidant activity. However, the long-chain polyene structure makes lutein sensitive to light and oxygen and poses many difficulties in the production, processing, and storage. In addition, the special chemical structure of LT leads to low solubility and bioavailability. In this study, we propose an efficient solution to address these issues. A cocrystal of LT with adipic acid (LT-APC) was obtained for the first time. The cocrystals were fully characterized. After cocrystallization, the melting point of marketed LT was increased. The chemical stability of LT was significantly improved, and the influence of impurities on stability was limited. Dissolution experiments were performed in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) and the cocrystal generated a much higher apparent solubility. To deepen insight into the mechanisms underlying the cocrystal’s improved solubility, wettability tests were performed by contact angle determination and film flotation methods. The cocrystal presented better wettability than the marketed LT. Finally, pharmacokinetic studies of marketed LT and its cocrystal were conducted in rats. The results showed that the cocrystal exhibited 3.4 times higher C_max and 2.2 times higher AUC at a single dose compared with marketed LT.