Amphiphilic beta-cyclodextrins modified on the primary face: synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of their potential as novel excipients in the preparation of nanocapsules.

The purpose of this study was to synthesize and characterize amphiphilic beta-cyclodextrins modified on the primary face with substituents of varying chain lengths (C6 and C14) and bond types (ester or amide). We also aimed to evaluate the potentiality of the new amphiphilic beta-cyclodextrins as excipients for the preparation and optimization of nanocapsules without using surface-active agents. Amphiphilic beta-cyclodextrin derivatives were characterized by (1)H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and elemental analysis. Nanocapsules prepared by nanoprecipitation were characterized by particle size and zeta potential determination and freeze fracture followed by transmission electron microscopy. The appropriate amphiphilic beta-cyclodextrin and its optimum concentration to be used were determined. Formation and characteristics of the nanocapsules were highly dependent on the structural properties of the modified cyclodextrin, its behavior in the oil-water interface and the viscosity and miscibility of the organic solvent with water. Physical stability after 5-month storage was also evaluated. The results indicated that derivatives with 6C aliphatic chains on the primary face proved to be the most efficient among the amphiphilic beta-CDs in this study. They avoid the use of surfactants in parenteral formulations of nanocapsules. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association