Pharma & Specialty Chemical Standards

Cyclodextrins (IUPAC: cyclo-oligosaccharides; molecular formula β-cyclodextrin: C₄₂H₇₀O₃₅; molecular weight: 1344.48 g/mol) are cyclic oligosaccharides composed of 6–8 glucose units linked by α-(1→4) glycosidic bonds, forming a toroidal structure with a hydrophobic cavity and hydrophilic exterior. Classified as glycosides, they enhance drug solubility, stability, and bioavailability via inclusion complexation. Therapeutically, they are used in pharmaceutical formulations for controlled drug release and to mitigate toxicity. Key physicochemical properties include high water solubility (variable with derivative type), low toxicity, and biodegradability. Their mechanism involves encapsulating hydrophobic molecules within their cavity, altering physicochemical behavior to optimize therapeutic efficacy.