A molecular modeling study of complex formation and self-aggregation behavior of a porphyrin–β-cyclodextrin conjugate

This paper reports a molecular modeling study of complex formation and aggregation behavior of a supramolecular system comprising three different moieties forming two distinct molecules. One molecule is a phenol derivative of porphyrin conjugated to a macrocyclic oligosaccharide, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), and the other is 1-adamantanol (ADM). The inclusion complex of the latter molecule with the porphyrin–β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) conjugate, and the dimeric aggregates of the conjugate both in the presence and in the absence of the guest are investigated through molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics methods in vacuo, since the systems are scarcely soluble in polar solvents. In this way, we can find the most likely geometry of the complexes or aggregates and characterize the competitive inclusion behavior of ADM and of a porphyrin phenol within the β-CD cavity in terms of the various energy contributions stabilizing the resulting aggregates and/or inclusion complexes.     

One stone two birds:Dual-effect kinetic regulation strategy for practical lithium–sulfur batteries

Lithium–sulfur(Li–S)batteries are deemed as one of the most promising energy storage systems due to their ultrahigh theoretical energy density of 2600 Wh kg^-1 far beyond the current lithium-ion battery technique[1].     

The application of β-cyclodextrin derivative functionalized aligned carbon nanotubes for electrochemically DNA sensing via host-guest recognition

We functionalized aligned carbon nanotubes (ACNTs) electrode with a new kind of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) derivative through diazotization reaction. The resulting β-CD/ACNTs electrode was used to detect DNA hybridization in homogeneous solution based on host–guest recognition technology. In the sensing protocol, one special DNA probe was designed with a stem-loop structure and both ends modified, which we called dually labeled DNA probe (DLP). One end of the DLP was labeled with dabcyl as guest molecule for β-CD/ACNTs electrode capture, and the other end was labeled with a CdS nanoparticle as an electrochemical tag to indicate the occurrence of DNA hybridization. In the absence of the target DNA sequence, the DLP maintains its hairpin structure in solution phase and would not be captured and detected by the β-CD/ACNTs electrode. In the presence of the complementary target sequence, the conformational structure of the DLP was altered and a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecule was formed by the hybridization of DLP and complementary DNA sequence. Consequently, the dsDNA was captured by the β-CD/ACNTs electrode owing to guest–host recognition between β-CD and dabcyl. The electrochemical signal from the CdS nanoparticle–dsDNA/β-CD/ACNTs was then measured. Under optimized detection conditions, the proposed method showed high sensitivity and selectivity with a detection limit of 5.0 × 10⁻¹³ M for complementary DNA sequence.     

Detailed investigation of a γ-cyclodextrin inclusion complex with l-thyroxine for improved pharmaceutical formulations

Thyroxine is a naturally occurring human hormone produced by the thyroid gland. Clinical applications of thyroxine to treat several chronic disorders are limited by poor water solubility and instability under physiological conditions. An inclusion complex of levo-thyroxine (l-thyroxine), the active form of the hormone with gamma cyclodextrin (γ-CD) has been obtained and studied with the aim of improving oral delivery rather than the injection formulation of the sodium salt. In addition to greater patient acceptability, inclusion complexes often improve aqueous solubility and bioavailability, stability, and reduce toxicity of drugs, thus providing enhanced pharmaceutical formulations. Physicochemical characterization of the inclusion complex was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Intermolecular dipolar interactions for the inclusion complex were also studied using 2 dimensional ROESY experiments. Formation of the inclusion complex between the protons H3 and H5 of cyclodextrin with aromatic protons of thyroxine was confirmed by their dipolar interaction. Molecular modelling was used to understand the basis for the complex formation and predict the formation of other complexes. Interestingly, we found that l-thyroxine forms an inclusion complex only with the larger γ-CD and not with other available alpha and beta forms.     

Study of inclusion complex of β-cyclodextrin and diphenylamine: photophysical and electrochemical behaviors

The photophysical, electrochemical and photoprototropic behaviors of diphenylamine (DPA) in aqueous β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) solution have been investigated using absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetric techniques. Absorption of the neutral and cationic form of DPA is enhanced due to the formation of a 1:1 complex with β-CD. The formation of this complex has been confirmed by Benesi-Hildebrand plot and docking studies by RasMol tool methods. The solid complex of β-CD with DPA is investigated by FT-IR, XRD and AFM methods. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔH and ΔS) of inclusion process are also determined. The pK(a) values of neutral-monocation equilibria have been determined with absorption (conjugate acid-base) titrations. A mechanism is proposed to explain the inclusion process.     

Host-guest complex of nabumetone: β-cyclodextrin: quantum chemical study and QTAIM analysis

The aim of the present work is the investigation of the inclusion complex of nabumetone (NAB) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) using PM3, DFT, DFT-D and ONIOM2 methods. The results indicate that the most energetically favorable structure predicts a preference of the methoxy group to enter the cavity of β-CD from its wide rim. Consequently, the butanone moiety is positioned outside the cavity on the side of the secondary hydroxyls, with a total insertion of naphthalene group. The semi-empirical PM3 results are in good agreement with those obtained by the DFT optimization (with and without dispersion correction). The donor–acceptor interactions between drug and the cavity wall of the host, studied on the basis of natural bonding orbital (NBO) analysis, show the presence of weak intermolecular hydrogen bonds in addition to the most important van der Waals interactions. Furthermore, it is revealed that among the DFT and DFT-D techniques selected to quantify these interactions, WB97X-D functional provides the greatest values of stabilization energies E⁽²⁾. Finally, a detailed topological charge density analysis based on the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), developed by Bader and co-workers, has been accomplished using the WB97X-D and B3LYP methods on the most favorable complexes. A good correlation between the structural parameters and the electronic density is found.     

Permethylated β-cyclodextrin/pesticide complexes: X-ray structures and thermogravimetric assessment of kinetic parameters for complex dissociation

The X-ray crystal structures of the inclusion complexes formed between three pesticides (two organophosphorus insecticides and one chloroacetanilide herbicide) and permethylated β-cyclodextrin (TRIMEB) are reported. The complexes TRIMEB–fenitrothion (1), TRIMEB–fenthion (2) and TRIMEB–acetochlor (3) are members of a commonly occurring isostructural series. The mode of inclusion of the two organophosphate insecticides is very similar, while the acetochlor molecule, which is structurally quite distinct from the two insecticide molecules, adopts a somewhat different position within the TRIMEB cavity. In addition to the structural elucidation of these complexes, their thermal behaviour was investigated using isothermal and non-isothermal thermogravimetry. The isothermal results showed that the dissociation of the guest molecules from the TRIMEB cavities can best be described by two mechanisms, namely a first-order reaction model and a three-dimensional diffusion model. Both the isothermal and non-isothermal methods allowed the determination of the activation energies of the guest loss process for each complex.     

Physicochemical characterization and cytotoxic activity evaluation of hydroxymethylferrocene:β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex

An inclusion complex of hydroxymethylferrocene (FeMeOH) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was prepared in the solid state by different techniques such as physical mixture, coprecipitation, kneading and freeze-drying. The formation of the inclusion complex was confirmed by X-ray Powder Diffractometry and Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopy. In aqueous solution, the 1:1 stoichiometry was established by a Job plot. The inclusion complex formation was also investigated by NMR and the stability constant (Kb) of the complex was determined to be 478 M?1, which is in agreement with that obtained with UV-Vis tritation (Kb = 541.3 M?1). The phase solubility study showed a diagram classified as Bs type and that the solubility of FeMeOH was slightly increased in the presence of β-CD. Furthermore, utilizing phase solubility diagram data, the Kb was estimated to be equal to 528.0 M?1. The cytotoxic activity of FeMeOH and its complexation product with β-CD was determined using the MTT-assay on MDA-MB-231 cell line, showing that the inclusion complex has a higher capability of inhibiting cell growth compared to that of pure FeMeOH.     

Aversatile β-cyclodextrin functionalized silver nanoparticle monolayer for capture of methyl orange from complex wastewater

The toxic organic dye contaminants in wastewater are extremely harmful to the ecosystem.Surface enhanced Raman scattering(SERS) is a technique with high sensitivity and chemical specificity which fulfills the requirements for monitoring dye contaminants in wastewater.However,as one of the common dye contaminants,methyl orange(MO) has very weak affinity to metallic surfaces and is difficult to be detected by SERS at low concentrations.Therefore,a new type of SERS substrate with Ag nanoparticle monolayer functionalized by mono-6-deoxy-6-thio-β-cyclodextrin(β-CD-SH) was prepared to efficiently capture and detect MO in wastewater with a limit of detection of 5×10^-7 mol/L.The hydrophobic cavity of β-CD is responsible for the efficient trap and enrichment of MO on the Ag NPs surface,achieving a strong SERS signal of MO at low concentrations and at different pH values.This study provides new insight into designing a well-performed adsorbent for the capture and detection of organic contaminants.     

Inclusion complex of usnic acid with β-cyclodextrin: characterization and nanoencapsulation into liposomes

In this study β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was used to improve usnic acid (UA) solubility and the inclusion complex (UA:β-CD) was incorporated into liposomes in order to produce a targeted drug delivery system for exploiting the antimycobacterial activity of UA. A phase-solubility assay of UA in β-CD at pH 7.4 was performed. An apparent stability constant of K_1:1 = 234.5 M^?1 and a complexation efficiency of 0.005 was calculated. In the presence of 16 mM of β-CD the solubility of UA (7.3 μg/mL) increased more than 5-fold. The UA:β-CD complex was prepared using the freeze-drying technique and characterized through infrared and ¹HNMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermal analyses. The UA:β-CD inclusion complex presented IR spectral modifications when compared with UA and β-CD spectra. ¹HNMR spectrum of UA:β-CD inclusion complex showed significant chemical shifts in proton H5 located inside the cavity of β-CD (Δδ = 0.127 ppm), suggesting that phenyl ring moiety of UA would be expected to be included within the β-CD cavity, interacting with the H-5 proton. A change in UA from its crystalline to amorphous form was observed on X-ray, suggesting the formation of a drug inclusion complex. DSC analysis showed the disappearance of the UA fusion peak UA:βCD complex. No differences between the antimicrobial activity of free UA and UA:βCD were found, supporting the hypothesis that the complexation with cyclodextrin did not interfere with drug activity. Liposomes containing UA:βCD were prepared using hydration of a thin lipid film method with subsequent sonication. Formulations of liposomes containing UA:βCD exhibited a drug encapsulation efficiency of 99.5% and remained stable for four months in a suspension form. Interestingly, the encapsulation of UA:βCD into the liposomes resulted in a modulation of in vitro kinetics of release of UA. Indeed, liposomes containing UA:β-CD presented a more prolonged release profile of free usnic acid compared to usnic acid-loaded liposomes.     

Preparation and characterization of poly glycidyl methacrylete–zirconium dioxide–β-cyclodextrin composite matrix for separation of isoflavones through expanded bed adsorption

The specially prepared adsorbent is most important in realizing the expanded bed adsorption (EBA) process. In the present work, a novel poly glycidyl methacrylete–zirconium dioxide–β-cyclodextrin (PGMA–ZrO₂–β-CD) composite matrix for EBA has been first prepared. Wet density, water content and pore properties of the composite beads have been investigated, which shows good expansion and stability in EBA. The application of custom-made adsorbent has been investigated to recover isoflavones from soy molasses. The recovery is up to 90% and the purity of isoflavones obtained is 75.4%. Compared with the traditional purification processes, EBA has the advantage of high efficiency and integrality, which leads to large reduction in operation time and cost.     

Inclusion complex formation of β-cyclodextrin and Naproxen: a study on exothermic complex formation by differential scanning calorimetry

Inclusion complex formation between β-cyclodextrin and Naproxen was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as a function of the β-cyclodextrin-to-Naproxen molar ratio, ranging from 0:5:1 to 5:1. When these mixtures are heated above the melting temperature of Naproxen, an exothermic peak is observed at a temperature slightly higher than the melting peak of Naproxen. This peak, which has not been previously reported, has been interpreted as an exothermic energy of inclusion complex formation. The magnitude of this complex formation peak was found to be dependent upon the composition of the β-cyclodextrin and Naproxen mixture and increased in magnitude to a maximum value at a β-cyclodextrin:Naproxen molar ratio of 2:1. In addition, Naproxen recrystallization and re-melting peaks seen in the cooling and re-heating scans, respectively, decreased in magnitude with increasing molar ratio and totally disappeared for the mixture with 5:1 of β-cyclodextrin to Naproxen ratio indicative of complete inclusion of Naproxen in the cyclodextrin cavities. Complete inclusion was further reflected by the disappearance of key Naproxen peaks in Fourier transform infrared spectra of samples recovered from DSC experiments. The large excess of β-cyclodextrin needed to fully complex the Naproxen was found to be due to slow kinetics. Increasing the hold time after the initial melting led to inclusion efficiencies up to 95 % even for the 2:1 mixture. These experiments suggest that ratios of β-cyclodextrin:Naproxen 2:1 or greater facilitate the process by increasing the presence of cyclodextrin molecules in the close proximity of the drug molecules and lead to high inclusion efficiencies.     

2H1NA/β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex: Preparation,characterization and chemosensory application for detecting Ag+

The inclusion complex of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid (2H1NA) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) has been investigated using UV-visible and fluorescence spectral techniques in liquid states, FTIR, NMR, XRD and SEM techniques in solid state, molecular docking techniques in virtual states. The binding constants of for the formation of 1:1 2H1NA:β-CD inclusion complex is estimated by UV-visible and fluorescence spectral techniques. The chemosensory power of 2H1NA:β-CD complex was investigated thoroughly for various metal cations and we found the emission of complex showed a drastic increase in the intensity for Ag⁺. Competition experiments of 2H1NA:β-CD complex with Ag⁺ in presence of other metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Hg⁺, Al²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Hg²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Sn²⁺, Ti²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺) showed that no significant variation was found in the fluoresce intensity of 2H1NA:β-CD complex upon adding all other cations. The linearity range, LOD and LOQ are determined from the selectivity and sensitivity studies for Ag⁺. Our result suggests that the 2H1NA:β-CD inclusion complex would be promising material for developing solid state sensory device for sensing Ag⁺.     

Etodolac:β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex as a novel fluorescent chemosensor probe for Ba2+

The inclusion complex of etodolac (ETD) with β-CD was investigated by UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. The chemosensory ability of ETD:β-CD complex for various metal cations was investigated thoroughly, and we found that the emission of the complex showed a drastic increase in the intensity for Ba²⁺. Competitive experiments of ETD:β-CD complex with Ba²⁺ showed that no significant variation was found in the fluorescence intensity of the ETD:β-CD/Ba²⁺ complex upon adding other cations, such as Na⁺, Ag⁺, Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Al³⁺, Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺, Se⁴⁺, and Ti⁴⁺. The linearity range, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were determined from the selectivity and sensitivity studies.     

Preparation and optimization of colon-targeted Pectin-Chitosan microsphere containing Diloxanide furoate-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex for effective treatment of amoebiasis

Degradation in the upper gastrointestinal tract increases the unwanted dose of Diloxanide furoate.(DF) as an anti-amoebic drug, the use of colonic delivery of it is a promising approach to reduce its dose and dose-dependent side effects. An investigation was done to prepare and evaluate the microsphere for site-specific delivery using surface response curve methodology to optimize independent variables like concentration of polymer (Pectin and Chitosan), crosslinking agent, and time of hardening and the dependent variable like percentage drug entrapment and drug release in an acidic environment. The microsphere was prepared by dropping of optimized inclusion complex of DF and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin with anionic polymer (Pectin) to a solution of cationic polymer containing different concentrations of calcium chloride. Prepared microspheres were characterized by swelling behavior, In vitro release in various simulated gastric and intestine fluids. The results suggest that pectin 6%, Chitosan 3.5%, CaCl₂ 6%, and cross-linking time 20 min shows a promising approach to colonic delivery of DF for not only better retreatment of amoebiasis but also for reducing dose-related side effects.     

Preparation and characterization of the inclusion complex of baicalein with γ-cyclodextrin: an antioxidant ability study

The formation of the complex of Baicalein with γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) was studied by UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectra and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) in solution. The solid inclusion complex of Baicalein with γ-CD was synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The characterization of the solid inclusion complexes have been proved by infrared spectra. The formation constant (K) of complex was determined by fluorescence method. The results suggested that in different pH solutions, γ-CD has different inclusive capacity to different forms of Baicalein. γ-CD was most suitable for inclusion in neutral media. In addition, the experimental resulted confirmed the existence of 1:1 inclusion complex of Baicalein with γ-CD. Kinetic studies of DPPH? with Baicalein and γ-CD complex were done. The results obtained indicated that the Baicalein/γ-CD complex was the most reactive form. Special configuration of complex has been proposed on NMR technique.     

A new inclusion complex of amlodipine besylate and soluble β-cyclodextrin polymer: preparation, characterization and dissolution profile

Amlodipine besylate (AML) has become the most popular blood pressure medication for hypertensive pets. It belongs to the class I (high solubility and high permeability) according to BCS and is marketed in Europe only as white tablets equivalent to 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg of amlodipine for oral administration. Unfortunately, oral AML dosage for cats and dogs is in the range 0.1–0.2 and 0.625–0.125 mg/kg/die respectively. Moreover, AML shows a slight solubility in water according to Ph. Eur. 7°. According to these considerations, the aim of this work was the complexation between soluble β-cyclodextrin polymer (CD) and AML using the solubilization/freeze-dried method to obtain powders easily dosable and soluble in water for the treatment of hypertension in pets. The complex in solution was evaluated by phase solubility studies that indicated the optimal 2:1 drug/CD ratio to form a stable complex. UV–Vis absorption and circular dichroism showed the formation of a complex with a weak bond such as confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy. In vitro dissolution/release tests were performed in water to investigate the influence of formulative parameters on drug dissolution/release properties. The inclusion of AML in CD increased its wettability, dissolution rate and solubility in water. This method could be a suitable approach for the administration of an extemporaneous solution of the antihypertensive drug to guarantee a correct dose to pets increasing the compliance.     

A simple and sensitive assay for apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1activity based on host-guest interaction of β-cyclodextrin polymer and pyrene

A simple and sensitive method for APE1 activity detection was developed based on fluorescence enhancement of pyrene in the presence of β-cyclodextrin polymer.     

Inclusion complex of α-cyclodextrin and the extended viologen dication: a model of an insulated molecular wire

An extended viologen dication 1, containing one viologen subunit, was used as a model for the inclusion complex formation between cyclodextrin (CD) molecules and molecular wires comprising several subunits. UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopic measurements confirmed the formation of two types of the inclusion complexes 1:1 and 2:1 between αCD and 1 in the aqueous solution containing 20% of ethanol. The complex formation constants were obtained from the fluorescence spectral changes: K _a  = 25 ± 3 mM^?1 for [αCD–1] complex and K _a  = 0.21 ± 0.07 mM^?2 for [(αCD)₂–1] complex, respectively. Cyclodextrins βCD and γCD do not form the inclusion complexes with 1 in these aqueous solutions. The time-dependent differential capacitance measurements confirmed the adsorption of 1 in the form of a complex at the electrode/electrolyte interface. These studies were conducted with the aim to find the most suitable CD cavity that would separate individual molecular wires from each other on the electrode/electrolyte interface.