Development of a new colloidal drug carrier from chemically-modified cyclodextrins: Nanospheres and influence of physicochemical and technological factors on particle size

Abstract A new nanosphere carrier system has been obtained from amphiphilic β-cyclodextrin (fatty acid chains varying from 2 to 14 carbons grafted at the O 2 and O 3 positions of β-cyclodextrin). The nanospheres, with a mean diameter varying between 90 and 150 nm, are prepared by progressive dispersion of an organic solution of modified β-cyclodextrin in an aqueous phase with or without surfactant. Various physicochemical parameters have been studied: the effect of the chain length of acyl groups (βCD with 6, 12 and 14 fatty acid carbons), and type of surfactant on the size and physicochemical properties and stability of the nanospheres. A preliminary investigation of water-soluble and insoluble drug entrapment by nanospheres was carried out.