Investigation of the beta-cyclodextrin-hydrocortisone inclusion compound.

The formation of an inclusion compound by beta-cyclodextrin with hydrocortisone has been studied by proton magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and phase solubility analysis. The magnitude of the chemical shifts of the interior and exterior beta-cyclodextrin protons in the presence of hydrocortisone indicated that hydrocortisone is included within the beta-cyclodextrin cavity and probably interacts with protons on the edge of the torus. The overall stoichiometry of the inclusion compound was not a single, simple relationship, but was unusual in that it was variable and apparently dependent on the relative amounts of hydrocortisone and beta-cyclodextrin in the system.