Cyclodextrin-Steroid Interactions And Applications To Pharmaceuticals, Food, Biotechnology And Environment

Steroids are abundant in living organisms and are responsible for various biological functions. Steroids form inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins, which are used for diverse applications. This chapter reviews the steroid drugs, bile salts, vitamin D and phytosterols in relation to their complexation with cyclodextrins. Emphasis is made on the effect of cyclodextrin-steroid interactions on solubility, stability and bioavailability of entrapped steroids. We discuss the pharmacokinetic changes of cyclodextrin-formulated steroid drugs designed for various routes of administration. We present some cyclodextrins-enabled steroid formulations introduced to the market. Specifically, we discuss sugammadex, the first cyclodextrin derivative approved as active pharmaceutical ingredient, which revolutionized anesthesia. The catalysis or inhibition of biotransformation reactions of steroids by cyclodextrin complexation are examplified. We present laboratory and pilot-scale experiments for the environmental applications such as cyclodextrin-containing sorbents for capturing residual steroid drugs, e.g. contraceptives from purified waste water.