247
Thomas Mavromoustakos et al. (eds.), Supramolecules in Drug Discovery and Drug Delivery: Methods and Protocols,
Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 2207, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0920-0_19,
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2021
Chapter 19
Drug-Encapsulated Cyclodextrin Nanosponges
Maria Tannous, Fabrizio Caldera, Gjylije Hoti, Umberto Dianzani,
Roberta Cavalli, and Francesco Trotta
Abstract
To date, a number of nanocarriers, either inorganic or organic, have been developed to improve the delivery and therapeutic efficacy of various drugs. Drug delivery systems have attempted to overcome the
undesirable pharmacokinetic problems encountered. Among the various nanomaterials that have been
designed as potential nanocarriers, cyclodextrin-based polymers are of particular interest in this review.
Cyclodextrins (CD) are a class of cyclic glucopyranose oligomers, obtained from starch by enzymatic
action, with a characteristic toroidal shape that forms a truncated cone-shaped lipophilic cavity. The main
common native cyclodextrins are named α, β, and γ which comprise six, seven, and eight glucopyranose
units, respectively. Cyclodextrins have the capability to include compounds whose size and polarity are
compatible with those of their cavity.
Cyclodextrin-based cross-linked polymers, often referred to as “cyclodextrin nanosponges” (CDNSs),
attract great attention from researchers for solving major bioavailability problems such as inadequate solubility, poor dissolution rate, and limited stability of some agents, as well as increasing their effectiveness and
decreasing unwanted side effects.
Registered patents about this novel system in various fields, different pharmaceutical applications, and
classes of drugs encapsulated by CDNSs are detailed. The features outlined make CDNSs a promising
platform for the development of innovative and advanced delivery systems.
Key words Cyclodextrin, Nanosponges, Encapsulation, Anticancer, Antiviral, Antibacterial, Gas
delivery, Miscellaneous
1 Introduction
Nanosponges (NSs) are versatile biocompatible cross-linked polymers that greatly expand the performances of their parent cyclodextrin (CD). The three native CDs used are α, β, and γ, with 6, 7,
and 8 glucopyranose units, respectively [1]. These natural derivatives of starch molecules are cyclic oligosaccharides in a truncated
cone structure arrangement of glucose molecules with an inner
lipophilic cavity and hydrophilic exterior [2, 3]. The common
Thomas Mavromoustakos et al. (eds.), Supramolecules in Drug Discovery and Drug Delivery: Methods and Protocols,
Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 2207, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0920-0_19,
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2021
Chapter 19
Drug-Encapsulated Cyclodextrin Nanosponges
Maria Tannous, Fabrizio Caldera, Gjylije Hoti, Umberto Dianzani,
Roberta Cavalli, and Francesco Trotta
Abstract
To date, a number of nanocarriers, either inorganic or organic, have been developed to improve the delivery and therapeutic efficacy of various drugs. Drug delivery systems have attempted to overcome the
undesirable pharmacokinetic problems encountered. Among the various nanomaterials that have been
designed as potential nanocarriers, cyclodextrin-based polymers are of particular interest in this review.
Cyclodextrins (CD) are a class of cyclic glucopyranose oligomers, obtained from starch by enzymatic
action, with a characteristic toroidal shape that forms a truncated cone-shaped lipophilic cavity. The main
common native cyclodextrins are named α, β, and γ which comprise six, seven, and eight glucopyranose
units, respectively. Cyclodextrins have the capability to include compounds whose size and polarity are
compatible with those of their cavity.
Cyclodextrin-based cross-linked polymers, often referred to as “cyclodextrin nanosponges” (CDNSs),
attract great attention from researchers for solving major bioavailability problems such as inadequate solubility, poor dissolution rate, and limited stability of some agents, as well as increasing their effectiveness and
decreasing unwanted side effects.
Registered patents about this novel system in various fields, different pharmaceutical applications, and
classes of drugs encapsulated by CDNSs are detailed. The features outlined make CDNSs a promising
platform for the development of innovative and advanced delivery systems.
Key words Cyclodextrin, Nanosponges, Encapsulation, Anticancer, Antiviral, Antibacterial, Gas
delivery, Miscellaneous
1 Introduction
Nanosponges (NSs) are versatile biocompatible cross-linked polymers that greatly expand the performances of their parent cyclodextrin (CD). The three native CDs used are α, β, and γ, with 6, 7,
and 8 glucopyranose units, respectively [1]. These natural derivatives of starch molecules are cyclic oligosaccharides in a truncated
cone structure arrangement of glucose molecules with an inner
lipophilic cavity and hydrophilic exterior [2, 3]. The common