In this study, the phase solubility of the CD26/α-tocopherol complex was investigated to assess the possible ratios between host and guest in the solution phase. Next, the host–guest association of the CD26/α-tocopherol complex at different ratios of 1:2, 1:4, 1:6, 2:1, 4:1, and 6:1 was studied by all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. At 1:2 ratio, two α-tocopherol units interact spontaneously with CD26, forming an inclusion complex, as supported by the experimental data. In the 2:1 ratio, a single α-tocopherol unit was encapsulated by two CD26 molecules. In comparison, increasing the number of α-tocopherol or CD26 molecules above two led to self-aggregation and consequently limited the solubility of α-tocopherol. The computational and experimental results indicate that a 1:2 ratio could be the most suitable stoichiometry to use in the CD26/α-tocopherol complex to improve α-tocopherol solubility and stability in inclusion complex formation.

Sangkhawasi, M.; Kerdpol, K.; Ismail, A.; Nutho, B.; Hanpiboon, C.; Wolschann, P.; Krusong, K.; Rungrotmongkol, T.; Hannongbua, S. In Vitro and In Silico Study on the Molecular Encapsulation of α-Tocopherol in a Large-Ring Cyclodextrin. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 4425. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054425