Thiolated cyclodextrins: New perspectives for old excipients
Mulazim Hussain Asim, Munazza Ijaz, Alexandra Christiane Rösch, Andreas Bernkop‐Schnürch
Abstract
Thiolated cyclodextrins (CDs) are obtained by covalent attachment of thiol moieties on the oligomeric backbone of different types of CDs. First, thiolated CDs were introduced in the field of drug delivery as mucoadhesive oligomers forming disulfide bonds with cysteine-rich substructures of mucus glycoproteins providing a prolonged mucosal residence time. In the following, their in-situ gelling and permeation enhancing properties were shown. Furthermore, inclusion complexes formed with thiolated CDs can enhance drug solubility and provide a sustained release. These in combination unique properties make thiolated CDs a useful tool for different drug delivery systems and regenerative medicine. Within this review article, an overview of the synthesis of thiolated CDs and their key properties is provided. Moreover, the potential of thiolated CDs for different applications in drug delivery is shown.