Cyclodextrin Research Blossoms in Many Fields

Research on cyclodextrins is blooming in multiple fields: from targeted drug delivery to green extraction, the potential of molecular containers is boundless.

In recent years, cyclodextrin, a cyclic oligosaccharide composed of seven glucose units, has become a hot molecule container in multi-disciplinary research due to its unique "hydrophilic outside and hydrophobic inside" structure. From drug delivery to environmental analysis, cyclodextrin and its polymer materials have shown unprecedented application potential, with numerous breakthrough studies emerging in 2025.

New Breakthroughs in Targeted Drug Delivery

In the field of drug delivery, β-cyclodextrin has become a core component of colon-targeted drug delivery systems. The latest research shows that through three strategies: pH-responsive hydrogels, thiolated adhesive carriers, and microbiota-triggered release, cyclodextrin can effectively protect sensitive drugs from the harsh environment of the upper digestive tract.

Innovative Solutions for Cancer Treatment

Significant progress has also been made in the application of cyclodextrin in cancer treatment. β-cyclodextrin-modified hyaluronic acid-coated SPIONs provide a novel delivery system for the targeted delivery of temozolomide.

This "triple-in-one" design achieves sustained-release delivery of TMZ through CD44 receptor-mediated active targeting and magnetic guidance. In vitro experiments have confirmed its good biocompatibility and significant anti-glioma activity, as well as MRI imaging potential.

Technological Innovations in Sample Pretreatment

In the field of analytical chemistry, the team led by Gao Zhuwei from Hainan University has systematically clarified the multi-synthetic methods of cyclodextrin polymers, providing innovative solutions for complex sample pretreatment.

Due to its special structure of being hydrophobic inside and hydrophilic outside, cyclodextrin polymers have unique advantages in solid-phase (micro) extraction, mainly through electrostatic interaction, host-guest interaction, hydrogen bonding interaction, and pore adsorption to capture target substances.

Remarkable Effects on Solubility Enhancement

In improving drug solubility, β-cyclodextrin inclusion technology has shown remarkable potential. Researchers have increased the solubility of quercetin by 235 times through β-cyclodextrin inclusion technology.

Preliminary experiments using the phase solubility method showed that the solubility of quercetin increased by 9 times, and the yield of the 1:1 inclusion complex prepared by grinding was as high as 96%, providing a new solution for improving the delivery efficiency of flavonoids.

Cyclodextrin research is moving from the laboratory to clinical trials and the market. Cyclarity Therapeutics' cyclodextrin therapy UDP-003 has been approved for human clinical trials, aiming to target and remove oxidized cholesterol associated with atherosclerotic plaque formation.