Cucurbituril and Cyclodextrin Complexes of Dendrimers

Cucurbituril-Oriented Nanoplatforms in Biomedical Applications

Cucucrbituril (CB) belongs to a family of macrocycles that are easily accessible. Their structural specificity provides excellent molecular recognition capabilities, with the ability to be readily chemically modified. Because of these properties, researchers have found CB to be a useful molecular carrier for delivering drug molecules and therapeutic biomolecules. Their significance lies in the fact that CB not only increases the solubility and stability of an encapsulated guest but also provides the possibility to achieve targeted delivery of the guest molecule. Therefore, the emergence of CB undoubtedly provides opportunities for the development of targeted drug delivery in an era where intelligent drugs have attracted considerable attention. It has also been found that CB can enhance fluorescent dyes, allowing the preparation of biosensors with enhanced sensitivity for use in clinical settings. In the present review, the acquisition, properties, and structural modifications of CB are first comprehensively described, and then the value of this macrocycle in applications within the medical field is discussed. In addition, we have also summarized patent applications of CB in this field over recent years, aiming to illustrate the current status of developments of this molecule. Finally, we discuss the challenges faced by CB in the medical field and future trends in its development.

Highly sensitive detection of cobalt through fluorescence changes in β-cyclodextrin-bimane complexes

A supramolecular complex of syn-(methyl,methyl)bimane (1) and β-cyclodextrin demonstrates a sensitive (limit of detection = 0.60 nM) and selective fluorescence turn-off response in the presence of cobalt in aqueous media, with calibration curves enabling quantitation in solution and using filter papers on which bimane and cyclodextrin were adsorbed. 1H NMR spectroscopy provides insight into interactions underlying the sensor performance.

Unexpected Polypseudorotaxanes Formed from the Self-assembly of β-Cyclodextrins with Poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) Homo- and Copolymers

Compared with polypseudorotaxanes (PPRs) formed from the self-assembly of β-cyclodextrins (β-CDs) with poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) and γ-CDs with poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), the ratio of the inner cavity size of β-CD to the cross-sectional area of PNIPAAm appears not appropriate for their self-assembly. For a better understanding of the possibility of β-CDs including PNIPAAm and the crystal structure of PPRs formed therefrom, the PNIPAAm homo- and copolymers were subjected to self-assembly with β-CDs in an aqueous solution at room temperature. The results revealed that when β-CDs meet thicker PNIPAAms, the self-assembly takes place, not only giving rise to PPRs by a manner of main-chain inclusion complexation but also presenting the PPRs a matched over-fit crystal structure different from those of either a matched tight-fit β-CD-PPG PPR or a mismatched over-fit γ-CD-PNIPAAm PPR. This is most likely due to the thicker PNIPAAm adapting its unfavorable main-chain cross-sectional area to fit into the cavity of β-CDs by changing the side-chain conformations. Based on the X-ray diffraction patterns, a monoclinic crystal system was created from these PPRs and the unit cell parameters calculated were as follows: a = 15.3 Å, b = 10.3 Å, and c = 21.2 Å; β = 110.3°; and space group P2. It suggested that this matched over-fit crystal structure would possess a Mosaic crystal structure rather than a typical channel-like one.

Synthesis of the Anionic Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin:Poly(decamethylenephosphate) Polyrotaxane and Evaluation of its Cholesterol Efflux Potential in Niemann-Pick C1 Cells

Niemann-Pick type C disease (NPC) is a lysosomal storage disease that is characterized by a progressive accumulation of unesterified cholesterol in the lysosomes leading to organ damage from cell dysfunction. Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) is an attractive drug candidate for treating NPC, as it diminishes cholesterol accumulation in NPC cells. Systemic HP-β-CD treatment, however, is limited by rapid renal clearance. We designed a new anionic HP-β-CD polyrotaxane to act as a slow release formulation based on a polyalkylene phosphate core to improve the pharmacokinetics. The polyalkylene phosphate comprises hydrophobic decamethylene spacers linked by biodegradable anionic phosphodiester bonds. HP-β-CD was threaded onto this polymer first and α-CD afterwards to prevent burst release of the threaded HP-β-CD. Our findings show that HP-β-CD was slowly released from the watersoluble polyrotaxane over a 30 days period. The polyrotaxane provided persistently diminished cholesterol levels in NPC1 cells by 20% relative to untreated cells. These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of this novel HP-β-CD polyrotaxane for the mobilization of aberrantly stored cholesterol in NPC1 cells.

Supramolecular Assemblies of Cucurbit[10]uril Based on Outer Surface Interactions

Using an established method, we isolated a large quantity of cucurbit[10]uril (Q[10]) and prepared Q[10]-based supramolecular assemblies via different approaches. For example, the structure-directing agent [CdCl4]2– was used or the Q[10] molecule itself acted as a self-structure-directing agent to form different Q[10]-based supramolecular assemblies through the outer surface interaction of Q[10]. Generally, the Q[10]-based supramolecular assemblies possess porous features that suggest that Q[n]-based compounds could be used to manufacture molecular sieves and sensors and applied in absorption and separation technologies.

Conjugates of methylated cyclodextrin derivatives and hydroxyethyl starch (HES): Synthesis, cytotoxicity and inclusion of anaesthetic actives

The mono-6-deoxy-6-azides of 2,6-di-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrin (DIMEB) and randomly methylated-β-cyclodextrin (RAMEB) were conjugated to propargylated hydroxyethyl starch (HES) by Cu(+)-catalysed [2 + 3] cycloaddition. The resulting water soluble polymers showed lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) at 52.5 °C (DIMEB-HES) and 84.5 °C (RAMEB-HES), respectively. LCST phase separations could be completely avoided by the introduction of a small amount of carboxylate groups at the HES backbone. The methylated CDs conjugated to the HES backbone exhibited significantly lower cytotoxicities than the corresponding monomeric CD derivatives. Since the binding potentials of these CD conjugates were very high, they are promising candidates for new oral dosage forms of anaesthetic actives.

Threaded macromolecules as a versatile framework for biomaterials

In this feature article, the recent progress in biomaterial application of threaded macromolecules including polyrotaxanes such as drug delivery and gene delivery is described.

Redox-responsive delivery systems

Stimuli-responsive systems for the transport and delivery of materials to a given location at a specific time are highly valuable in numerous applications. The characteristics of the delivery system are dictated by the requirements of a particular application, which include the nature of the stimulus for actuation of the delivery process. Electron transfer has moved to the forefront as a stimulus for responsive delivery systems, particularly for those used in drug and reagent delivery, and for analyte transport/separation avenues. Interest in redox-activated delivery of materials arises from the abundance of redox-active stimuli that can be used to make delivery occur, the often simple chemical nature of the activation process, and the ease of constructing delivery vehicles with an integrated redox-responsive trigger group. This review is focused on vesicle- and micelle-based vehicles whose contents can be delivered by a redox stimulus due to their potential to meet the needs of key applications.