Liposomes incorporating cyclodextrin-drug inclusion complexes: Current state of knowledge

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides, consisting of glucopyranose units, which are able to form host-guest inclusion complexes with lipophilic molecules. The ability of CD to increase drug solubility may be used to increase drug entrapment in the aqueous compartment of liposomes and liposomes can protect CD/drug inclusion complexes until drug release. Liposomes are phospholipid vesicles composed of lipid bilayers enclosing one or more aqueous compartments. They have been widely used as safe and effective carriers for both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. However, lipophilic drugs incorporated in the membrane bilayers can be rapidly released, which limits the effectiveness of this drug delivery system. The coupling of both delivery systems by encapsulating CD/drug inclusion complex into liposomes is proposed to circumvent the drawbacks of each separate system. Here, we review the literature regarding the encapsulation of CD/drug inclusion complex into conventional, deformable and double loaded liposomes. The review highlights the characteristics of these systems and presents the advantages and disadvantages of each one.