Characterization of Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes – A Review

Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides which have recently been recognized as useful pharmaceutical excipients. The molecular structure of these glucose derivatives generates a hydrophilic exterior surface and a non polar cavity interior. Such cyclodextrins can interact with appropriate size drug molecules which lead to the formation of inclusion complexes. A critical review of the literature was carried out to characterize the formation of inclusion complexes by different techniques in the solid and in the solution state. The characterization of inclusion complexes was done with a purpose to determine the interaction of drug molecules with cyclodextrins which confirm the formation of inclusion complexes.