Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 9, 2026
10:16
Targeted Plasma Membrane Delivery of a Hydrophobic Cargo Encapsulated in a Liquid Crystal Nanoparticle Carrier
Published on: February 8, 2017
8.0K
Cyclodextrin-based carriers for targeted drug delivery
Ibrahim M A Hussein1,2, Ilona Krabicová1,3, Gjylije Hoti1,2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery
|December 8, 2025
Summary
Cyclodextrin nanocarriers enhance drug delivery for poorly soluble compounds. Ligand-functionalized systems show promise for targeted therapies, though challenges in overcoming biological barriers persist.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
Background:
- Cyclodextrins form host-guest complexes, enabling drug encapsulation and stabilization.
- Ligand-functionalized nanocarriers offer precise targeting of diseased tissues.
- Poorly soluble drugs benefit from enhanced delivery systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in cyclodextrin-based carriers for targeted drug delivery.
- To explore various ligand-functionalized systems and their applications across different organs.
- To highlight strategies for improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing side effects.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cyclodextrin-based drug delivery systems.
- Analysis of ligand-functionalized carriers including conjugates, assemblies, polymers, and nanosponges.
- Categorization of systems based on target organs (brain, eyes, lungs, etc.).
Main Results:
- Cyclodextrin systems improve drug solubility, stability, and target specificity.
- Ligand incorporation and stimuli-responsive mechanisms enhance targeting.
- Theranostic platforms offer dual diagnostic and therapeutic functions.
Conclusions:
- Cyclodextrin-based carriers show significant potential for targeted drug delivery.
- Overcoming biological barriers and minimizing off-target effects are key challenges.
- Continued optimization of carrier design and targeting technologies is vital for clinical translation.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Drug Delivery: Overview
703
The selection of a drug's delivery route depends upon its physicochemical properties, including lipid or water solubility and ionization, as well as the therapeutic requirement, such as immediate or sustained effect. These routes can be divided into three primary categories: enteral, parenteral, and topical.
Enteral delivery involves administering drugs directly through swallowing, sublingual placement, or buccal application. Orally administered drugs predominantly navigate the...
Enteral delivery involves administering drugs directly through swallowing, sublingual placement, or buccal application. Orally administered drugs predominantly navigate the...
703
01:05Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Stability Enhancement and GI Retention
184
Body:Improving a drug's stability in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is paramount for enhancing its bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness. Various strategies are employed to protect the drug from the harsh gastric milieu and to ensure its release and absorption at the desired site within the GI tract.Polymer coatings are one such method used to shield drugs from the stomach's acidic environment. By preventing premature drug release, these coatings improve the bioavailability of unstable...
184
01:06Carrier-Mediated Transport
981
Carrier-mediated transport is a pivotal process in drug absorption, particularly for lipid-insoluble drugs, and encompasses facilitated diffusion and active transport. Facilitated diffusion allows drugs to move along their concentration gradient without energy expenditure, while active transport utilizes ATP to drive drug movement against this gradient.
Active transport involves two types of membrane-spanning transporters: uptake and efflux. Uptake transporters are expressed in the small...
Active transport involves two types of membrane-spanning transporters: uptake and efflux. Uptake transporters are expressed in the small...
981
01:27Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Permeability Enhancement
176
Body:After oral administration, poor permeability often limits the rate at which drugs are absorbed through the intestinal epithelium. Enhancing drug permeability is crucial for effective therapy, and several strategies have been developed to overcome this challenge.One effective strategy involves the use of lipid-based formulations. These formulations enhance dissolution and solubility, targeting physiological mechanisms to increase drug absorption. This includes stimulating bile salt...
176
01:22Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes
694
Drug delivery methods like oral inhalation, nasal sprays, transdermal patches, eye drops, intravitreal injection, and rectal administration provide localized effects with reduced toxicity.
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs...
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs...
694