New generation of supramolecular mixtures: Characterization and solubilization studies.

In this work, a series of novel low melting mixtures (LMM) based on cyclodextrins (CD) and levulinic acid and inspired by the deep eutectic solvents (DES), were prepared. These supramolecular mixtures are the first reported CD-based mixtures that are liquid at room temperature. Density, viscosity and rheological measurements as well as differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis were performed to characterize these new LMM. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to monitor their stability. Furthermore, their ability to solubilize trans-anethole (AN) and related essentials oils were evaluated by static headspace-gas chromatography (SH-GC), in comparison with water. AN was up to 1300 times more soluble in the CD-based LMM than in water. Finally, multiple headspace extraction (MHE) was used to monitor the release of AN from these LMM. After 10 extractions, 20 to 40% of AN was released from the studied LMM, while 70% was released from water. The new CD-based LMM have potential applications for solubilization and delivery of poorly soluble drugs.

Cyclodextrins: from solute to solvent.

A supramolecular solvent based on cyclodextrin (CD) is presented here for the first time. Indeed, a low melting mixture was obtained by mixing levulinic acid and a CD derivative, which retained its inclusion ability in the resulting solvent. This new system gives rise to a new family of solvents that could be called SUPRADES (supramolecular deep eutectic solvents).

Effect of cyclodextrin and cosolvent on the solubility and antioxidant activity of caffeic acid.

Caffeic acid is a natural phenylpropanoid that exhibits various health benefits. However, it suffers from a poor aqueous solubility limiting its application. This drawback could be overcome by complexation in cyclodextrins (CD) or cosolvency. Herein, we investigated, for the first time, the combined effect of CD and ethanol as cosolvent on complexation, solubilization and antioxidant activity of caffeic acid. Results showed that CD, ethanol and their combined use enhanced the solubility of this phenylpropanoid. However, the presence of ethanol affects the formation of inclusion complexes as lower formation constants (Kf) and complexation efficiencies (CE) were obtained while increasing the ethanol percentage (0-45% v/v). No inclusion complex could be observed at 45% v/v ethanol. These results were confirmed by 2D DOSY and 2D ROESY NMR experiments. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of caffeic acid in the combined system was enhanced consequent to its increased solubility.

Nootkatone encapsulation by cyclodextrins: Effect on water solubility and photostability.

Nootkatone (NO) is a sesquiterpenoid volatile flavor, used in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, possessing also insect repellent activity. Its application is limited because of its low aqueous solubility and stability; this could be resolved by encapsulation in cyclodextrins (CDs). This study evaluated the encapsulation of NO by CDs using phase solubility studies, Isothermal Titration Calorimetry, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy and molecular modeling. Solid CD/NO inclusion complex was prepared and characterized for encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity using UV-Visible. Thermal properties were investigated by thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis and release studies were performed using multiple headspace extraction. Formation constants (Kf) proved the formation of stable inclusion complexes. NO aqueous solubility, photo- and thermal stability were enhanced and the release could be insured from solid complex in aqueous solution. This suggests that CDs are promising carrier to improve NO properties and, consequently, to enlarge its use in foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals preparations.

The effect of cyclodextrin complexation on the solubility and photostability of nerolidol as pure compound and as main constituent of cabreuva essential oil.

Nerolidol (Ner), a major component of many plant essential oils, is known for its various biological properties. However, the low solubility of Ner in water and its susceptibility to degradation limit its application. The aim of our study was to improve the solubility and photostability of Ner through its encapsulation in different cyclodextrins (CDs). The formation constants of cis-, trans-Ner and their commercial mixture with various CDs (α-CD, ß-CD, γ-CD, HP-ß-CD, RAMEB, CRYSMEB and SBE-ß-CD) were determined by phase solubility studies and confirmed by the spectral displacement UV-visible method. The solubility of cabreuva essential oil (EO) rich in trans-Ner was also evaluated by total organic carbon (TOC) analysis. The encapsulation efficiency (EE %) of Ner in HP-ß-CD solid complexes was assessed by HPLC. The structural characterization of CD/trans-Ner inclusion complex was then conducted by NMR spectroscopy followed by molecular modelling studies. The effect of encapsulation on the Ner photostability was also carried out over time under UVB irradiation. AL-type phase-solubility diagrams were obtained, suggesting the formation of 1:1 CD/Ner inclusion complexes. The solubility of Ner was enhanced by approximately 70-fold in the presence of 10 mM HP-ß-CD. Moreover, high EE % values were obtained for 5:1 and 10:1 HP-ß-CD:Ner molar ratios. NMR and molecular modelling studies revealed the most stable structure for trans-Ner inside the CD cavity with the OH group oriented towards the wider rim of the CD. Finally, CD encapsulation of Ner as pure compound or as main component of the cabreuva EO, protected it from degradation. This effect was more pronounced as the concentration of CD increased. These findings suggested that CDs are promising encapsulating carriers for Ner by enhancing its solubility and stability and thereby its application in food industry.

Cyclodextrins: A promising drug delivery vehicle for bisphosphonate.

Bisphosphonates are well established pharmaceutical drugs with wide applications in medicine. Nevertheless, the side chain and the nature of phosphorous groups could induce a poor aqueous solubility and act on their bioavailability. At the same time, cyclodextrins are cage molecules that facilitate transport of hydrophobic molecules to enhance the intestinal drug absorption of these molecules by forming inclusion complexes. Here we demonstrate that cyclodextrins could be used as a bisphosphonate carrier. The formation of cyclodextrins-bisphosphonate complexes was characterized by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, Isothermal Titration Calorimetry and UV-vis spectroscopy. The results revealed that only the side chain of bisphosphonate was involved in the inclusion phenomenon and its length was a crucial parameter in the control of affinity. Findings from this study suggest that cyclodextrin will be a useful carrier for bisphosphonates.

Determination of formation constants and structural characterization of cyclodextrin inclusion complexes with two phenolic isomers: carvacrol and thymol.

Carvacrol and thymol have been widely studied for their ability to control food spoilage and to extend shelf-life of food products due to their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. However, they suffer from poor aqueous solubility and pronounced flavoring ability that limit their application in food systems. These drawbacks could be surpassed by encapsulation in cyclodextrins (CDs). Applications of their inclusion complexes with CDs were reported without investigating the inclusion phenomenon in deep. In this study, inclusion complexes were characterized in terms of formation constants (K f), complexation efficiency (CE), CD:guest molar ratio and increase in bulk formulation by using an UV-visible competitive method, phase solubility studies as well as (1)H and DOSY (1)H NMR titration experiments. For the first time, a new algorithmic treatment that combines the chemical shifts and diffusion coefficients variations for all guest protons was applied to calculate K f. The position of the hydroxy group in carvacrol and thymol did not affect the stoichiometry of the inclusion complexes but led to a different binding stability with CDs. 2D ROESY NMR experiments were also performed to prove the encapsulation and illustrate the stable 3D conformation of the inclusion complexes. The structural investigation was accomplished with molecular modeling studies. Finally, the radical scavenging activity of carvacrol and thymol was evaluated by the ABTS radical scavenging assay. An improvement of this activity was observed upon encapsulation. Taken together, these results evidence that the encapsulation in CDs could be valuable for applications of carvacrol and thymol in food.

Complexation of estragole as pure compound and as main component of basil and tarragon essential oils with cyclodextrins.

Inclusion complexes of estragole (ES) as pure compound and as main component of basil and tarragon essential oils (EOs) with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD), hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD), randomly methylated-ß-cyclodextrin (RAMEB), a low methylated-ß-cyclodextrin (CRYSMEB) and γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) were characterized. Formation constants (Kf) of the complexes were determined in aqueous solution by nonlinear regression analysis using static headspace gas chromatography (SH-GC) and UV-visible spectroscopy. Solid inclusion complexes were prepared by the freeze-drying method for different CD:ES molar ratios and were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Inclusion complexes formation allowed the controlled release of ES. Moreover, increased DPPH radical scavenging activity and photostability of ES and ES containing EOs (ESEOs) were observed in the presence of CDs. These findings suggest that encapsulation with CDs could be an efficient tool to improve the use of ES and ESEOs in aromatherapy, cosmetic and food fields.

Cyclodextrin, an efficient tool for trans-anethole encapsulation: chromatographic, spectroscopic, thermal and structural studies.

Inclusion complexes of trans-anethole (AN) with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD), hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD), randomly methylated-ß-cyclodextrin (RAMEB) and a low methylated-ß-cyclodextrin (CRYSMEB) were investigated in aqueous solution by static headspace gas chromatography (SH-GC), phase solubility study, UV-Visible, (1)H NMR and (2D) ROESY NMR spectroscopies. The obtained results indicated the formation of 1:1 inclusion complex for all the studied CDs. Water solubility of AN was significantly improved upon complexation with CDs as demonstrated by phase solubility and retention studies. Solid inclusion complexes were prepared by the freeze-drying method and the encapsulation of AN was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies. Moreover, the degradation of AN, induced by UVC irradiation, was markedly reduced by the formation of CD inclusion complexes. Results showed that encapsulation in CDs was an efficient way to increase solubility and stability of AN, thereby making it valuable for food or pharmaceutical applications.