A water-soluble supramolecular structured photosensitive initiation system: Me-β-CD complex of xanthene dye/aryliodonium salt

Cyclodextrins as versatile building blocks for regenerative medicine

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are one of the most versatile substances produced by nature, and it is in the aqueous biological environment where the multifaceted potential of CDs can be completely unveiled. CDs form inclusion complexes with a variety of guest molecules, including polymers, producing very diverse biocompatible supramolecular structures. Additionally, CDs themselves can trigger cell differentiation to distinct lineages depending on the substituent groups and also promote salt nucleation. These features together with the affinity-driven regulated release of therapeutic molecules, growth factors and gene vectors explain the rising interest for CDs as building blocks in regenerative medicine. Supramolecular poly(pseudo)rotaxane structures and zipper-like assemblies exhibit outstanding viscoelastic properties, performing as syringeable implants. The sharp shear-responsiveness of the supramolecular assemblies is opening new avenues for the design of bioinks for 3D printing and also of electrospun fibers. CDs can also be transformed into polymerizable monomers to prepare alternative nanostructured materials. The aim of this review is to analyze the role that CDs may play in regenerative medicine through the analysis of the last decade research. Most applications of CD-based scaffolds are focussed on non-healing bone fractures, cartilage reparation and skin recovery, but also on even more challenging demands such as neural grafts. For the sake of clarity, main sections of this review are organized according to the architecture of the CD-based scaffolds, mainly syringeable supramolecular hydrogels, 3D printed scaffolds, electrospun fibers, and composites, since the same scaffold type may find application in different tissues.

The influence of beta-cyclodextrin on acid-base and tautomeric equilibrium of fluorescein dyes in aqueous solution

The protolytic equilibrium of fluorescein in aqueous solutions was studied in the presence of cycloheptaamylose (beta-cyclodextrin, or beta-CD). The constants of stepwise ionization of the dye (H(3)R(+)left arrow over right arrowH(2)Rleft arrow over right arrow HR(-)left arrow over right arrowR(2-)), K(a0), K(a1), and K(a2) were determined using vis-spectroscopy at ionic strength 0.05 M (NaCl+buffer) and 25 degrees C. In the presence of 0.0086 M beta-CD, the indices of ionization constants are as follows: pK(a0)=1.21+/-0.12, pK(a1)=5.08+/-0.03, pK(a2)=6.35+/-0.02. The changes in these pK(a)s, as compared with the values determined without cyclodextrin, are unequal. Namely, the pK(a0) value decreases by 1.0, while the pK(a1) value increases by 0.7. Thus, the introduction of beta-CD allows to govern the ratios K(a0)/K(a1) and K(a1)/K(a2), which are equal to, respectively, 141 and 151 in water, and 7.4 x 10(3) and 18.6 with cyclodextrin added. Rationalization of the observed phenomenon is possible taking into account the detailed scheme of protolytic equilibrium. Conclusions concerning tautomerism of dye molecules were deduced from absorption spectra; the fractions of tautomers, tautomerization constants, and microscopic ionization constants were evaluated. These data allow concluding that the main reason for the aforementioned pK(a) alterations is the binding of H(2)R by the cyclodextrin cavity accompanied by turning these neutral species into the colorless lactone. The host-guest interaction of neutral species of fluorescein isothiocyanate, 2,7-dichlorofluorescein, and 3',4',5',6'-tetrachlorofluorescein also results in the cyclodextrin-assisted shift of tautomeric equilibrium. Such nature of interactions is proved by the addition of competing agents, camphor-4-carboxylic acid and sodium n-nonylsulfonate, which results in the removing of neutral dye species from the cycloheptaamylose cavity.