Sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin: A functional biopolymer for drug delivery applications

Sulfobutylether β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD) is a polyanionic cyclic oligosaccharide that contains glucopyranose units forming a torus ring-like structure. SBE-β-CD is gifted with many favorable properties viz. relatively high solubility (>50 folds compared to β-CD), improved stability, and biocompatibility that praised SBE-β-CD as a smart polymer for drug delivery applications. Commercially, SBE-β-CD is popular by its brand name Captisol®. The present review discusses the structure, properties, and preparation methods of SBE-β-CD-based inclusion complexes (ICs). Furthermore, we discuss here the preparation and applications of SBE-β-CD ICs-based nanoparticulate drug delivery systems, which combines the merits of both, ICs (enhanced solubility) and nanoparticles (NPs, targeted therapy). Patents on and FDA-approved Captisol®-enabled products are tabulated in the benefit of readers. The toxicological aspects and current clinical status of SBE-β-CD or SBE-β-CD-based products are briefly explained in the present review. In our opinion, the present review would be a pathfinder to allow dissemination of information on SBE-β-CD.