Cyclodextrins in oligonucleotide delivery.

The aim of this contribution is to summarize recent findings on the potential use of cyclodextrins and their derivatives as carriers for oligonucleotide agents. Their peculiar properties could be exploited in such an emerging therapeutic area by virtue of their capability of interacting with cellular membranes, thus giving rise to improved cellular uptake. In particular, some specific derivatives could be considered as promising future excipients for the delivery of "naked" antisense and/or decoy oligonucleotides which are difficult to formulate with existing pharmaceutical excipients.

Polymorphism of rac-5,6-diisobutyryloxy-2-methylamino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene hydrochloride (CHF 1035). I. Thermal, spectroscopic, and X-ray diffraction properties.

The polymorphism of rac-5,6-diisobutyryloxy-2-methylamino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene hydrochloride (CHF 1035) was investigated. Three different crystal forms (Form I, Form II, and Form III) were obtained by recrystallization procedures from common organic solvents. The polymorphs were characterized by Raman and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance ((13)C NMR) spectroscopy, in solution and in solid state (cross polarization-magic angle spinning), powder X-ray diffractometry, and thermal methods (differential scanning calorimetry, hot stage microscopy, and thermogravimetry).

Cyclodextrin complexes of salts of acidic drugs. Thermodynamic properties, structural features, and pharmaceutical applications.

The objective of this mini-review is to summarize the findings concerning the physicochemical properties and the pharmaceutical applications of acidic drugs whose performances have been modified by simultaneous complexation with cyclodextrins and salt formation. Particular attention is paid to the approaches undertaken for increasing the solubility of the drugs by proper choice of the type of counterion analogously to what has been reported for complexes of basic drugs in the presence of hydroxy acids.

Drug/cyclodextrin/hydroxy acid multicomponent systems. Properties and pharmaceutical applications.

The objective of this mini-review is to summarize the findings concerning the properties and the pharmaceutical applications of multicomponent complexes made of a sparingly water-soluble amino-type drug, a cyclodextrin, and a hydroxy carboxylic acid. Simultaneous complexation and salt formation with these acids significantly increase the solubilizing power, allowing us to reduce the amount of cyclodextrin necessary for making the targeted formulation. In many cases, the aqueous solubility of the hydrophobic drug can be enhanced by several orders of magnitude, while that of CD can be enhanced more than 10-fold.

Raman and solid state 13C-NMR investigation of the structure of the 1 : 1 amorphous piroxicam : beta-cyclodextrin inclusion compound.

The results of a Raman and solid state 13C-NMR spectroscopic investigation aimed at studying the conformation of piroxicam (P) and its interaction with beta-cyclodextrin (betaCD) in 1 : 1 amorphous PbetaCD inclusion compound are reported. The 1700-1200 cm(-1) FT-Raman and the 13C CP/MAS NMR spectra of 1 : 1 PbetaCD inclusion compound are discussed and assigned in comparison with those of the three main modifications of piroxicam (alpha, beta, and monohydrate). The FT-Raman and 13C-NMR results show that in 1 : 1 PbetaCD inclusion compound piroxicam mainly assumes the zwitterionic structure typical of monohydrate, even if the presence of a different structure, that is, beta form, is not excluded.