Posted by The review “MagnetoCyclodextrins: Synthesis, challenges, and opportunities” explores MagnetoCyclodextrins (MNP CDs), hybrid nanomaterials created by combining the magnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles with the inclusion and solubilization abilities of cyclodextrins. This unique mix results in multifunctional systems with potential applications in medicine, environmental cleanup, food technology, catalysis, sensing, and separation processes. The article mainly highlights biomedical uses, such as drug delivery, targeted therapy, and diagnostic imaging, where the combination of magnetic guidance and drug encapsulation makes MNP CDs especially promising for theranostic applications.
The review describes different preparation methods such as co-precipitation, chemical coating, phase transfer, and self-assembly, showing how each influences important characteristics like particle size, surface stability, biocompatibility, and how effectively cyclodextrins are attached. These features directly affect the stability, magnetic behavior, and drug-carrying capacity of the nanomaterials. Thanks to their ability to load poorly soluble drugs and respond to magnetic fields, MNP CDs show strong potential for controlled and localized drug delivery, as well as for imaging and separation technologies. Still, the lack of standardized preparation protocols makes it difficult to reproduce results consistently or scale up production. Additionally, most studies to date have been limited to laboratory and animal models.
While the potential of MNP CDs is clear, several obstacles must be overcome before they can be used in clinical practice. Challenges include nanoparticle aggregation, maintaining stability in biological environments, and the limited understanding of how magnetic properties relate to therapeutic performance. Future research should focus on improving synthesis methods, ensuring reproducibility, and designing targeted surface modifications to enhance the effectiveness of drug delivery. The authors also emphasize the need for collaboration between scientists, clinicians, and regulatory agencies to establish guidelines and safety standards, paving the way for MNP CDs to advance from experimental systems to reliable nanomedicines.
Ana Laura Coria-Gutiérrez, Angela Scala, István Puskás, Anna Piperno (2025) MagnetoCyclodextrins: Synthesis, challenges, and opportunities. Carbohydrate Polymers 370, 124355.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.124355