Evaluation on the inclusion behavior of p-cyclodextrins with lycorine and its hydrochloride

Lycorine (Lyc) and its hydrochloride (Lyc center dot HCl) as effective drugs can fight against many diseases includ-ing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) based on their antiviral and antitumor mechanism. Beta-cyclodextrin (p-CD) is considered a promising carrier in improving its efficacy while minimizing cytotoxicity due to the good spatial compatibility with Lyc. However, the detailed mechanism of inclusion interaction still remains to be further evaluated. In this paper, six inclusion complexes based on p-CDs, Lyc and Lyc center dot HCl were processed through ultrasound in the mixed solvent of ethanol and water, and their inclu-sion behavior was characterized after lyophilization. It was found that the inclusion complexes based on sulfobutyl-beta-cyclodextrin (SBE-p-CD) and Lyc center dot HCl had the best encapsulation effect among prepared inclusion complexes, which may be attributed to the electrostatic interaction between sulfonic group of SBE-p-CD and quaternary amino group of Lyc center dot HCl. Moreover, the complexes based on SBE-p-CD displayed pH-sensitive drug release property, good solubilization, stability and blood compatibility, indicating their potential as suitable drug carriers for Lyc and Lyc center dot HCl. (c) 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Six inclusion complexes based on sulfobutyl-beta-cyclodextrin and lycorine hydrochloride were prepared and characterized. The complexes showed excellent encapsulation effect, likely due to the electrostatic interaction between the sulfonic group of sulfobutyl-beta-cyclodextrin and the quaternary amino group of lycorine hydrochloride. Furthermore, the complexes exhibited pH-sensitive drug release, good solubility, stability, and blood compatibility, suggesting their potential as suitable drug carriers.