Posted by In Scientific Reports, a Japanese team investigated these effects for α-CD derivatives with various replaced substituents from the perspective of their interaction with unesterified cholesterol (UC) (1). Even when administered intracerebroventricularly, a representative α-CD derivative had no impact on survival in NPC model mice. The normalization of intracellular cholesterol trafficking in NPC model cells and the auditory dysfunction in wild-type mice, both caused by HP-β-CD, were not seen for the α-CD derivatives, regardless of their substituent variations.
In Nature Communications, (2) Chinese researchers report on inventing an injectable nanoliposuction hydrogel
platform designed for “waste recycling”. This system removes excess lipids to mitigate senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) propagation and incorporates the harvested lipids as a pivotal component of the biomimetic lubricating system, thereby alleviating mechanical allodynia and cartilage wear. This strategy circumvents potential side effects associated with direct SnCs clearance and repurposes these traditionally harmful cells as functional resources.
InCommunications Chemistry, Paryenthe et al. wrote on cyclodextrin-based rotaxanes, which have emerged as promising supramolecular systems for biological and medicinal applications (3). Their host-guest interactions and mechanical bonds provide enhanced stability, stimuli-responsiveness, and tunable functionality. This review highlights their roles in targeted therapy, controlling drug release, theranostic agents, enzyme inhibitor, gene transport and bioimaging. In this work methyl beta-cyclodextrin was used for targeted lipid removal.
In Scientific Reports, Sagor et al studied the role of methyl-ß-cyclodextrin (Mß-CD) in suppressing the development of atherosclerosis (4). providing evidence that Mß-CD may reduce atherosclerosis by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis.
In Scientific Reports, Liang et al. published on cepharanthine–β-cyclodextrin (CEP–β-CD) inclusion complex prepared using the co-grinding method. and formulated into tablets for oral administration (5). The anti-inflammatory effects of the CEP–β-CD oral tablets were evaluated in alveolar macrophage MH-S cells and a mouse pneumonia model. The results suggest that the formulation of the CEP–β-CD inclusion complex into oral tablets is a promising preventive and therapeutic approach for lung injury caused by COVID-19.
InCommunications Chemistry, Gaedtke et al. published on the use of dynamic pericyclic chemistry to derivatise guests for cyclodextrins under mild conditions, thereby turning off molecular recognition (6). The Diels-Alder [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction between anthracene derivatives and activated alkenes proceed rapidly, selectively and reversibly in water under ambient conditions. This reaction can be used to modulate binding of both native and modified β-cyclodextrins to the anthracene. By appropriate choice of conditions, the resulting chemical reaction network could also operate under non-equilibrium steady state conditions. Finally, alkene scavengers could induce the retro-Diels Alder reactions, allowing the use of the pericyclic reaction system as a molecular switch.
In Scientific Reports, Akhondi et al. reported the green synthesis of β-cyclodextrin-functionalized cellulose nanocrystals (β-CD/CNCs) from pistachio shells as a carrier material for propolis, as well as the determination of its antibacterial and anticancer properties (7).
In Nature Chemistry, Sophie beeren discusses the development of cyclodextrins, moving from laboratory curiosities to common ingredients in daily products, active pharmaceutical ingredients and building blocks for supramolecular chemistry (8). This short review ends with the conclusion:
More than 100 years after theuir discovery, CDs continue to fascinate scientists. Once academic curiosiiex, the CD market is now valued at almost 300 million USD, arguably making them supramolecular chemistry’s biggest commercial success.
References:
(1) Yamada, Y., Tanaka, M., Ikeda, Y. et al. Inability of α-cyclodextrins to accommodate cholesterol potentially underlies their lack of efficacy and ototoxicity in Niemann-Pick disease type C treatment. Sci Rep 15, 30857 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15599-0
(2) Ji, X., He, X., Cai, H. et al. (2026) Recycling senescent cell lipids for targeted senotherapy. Nat Commun (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-70486-0
(3) Paryente, S., Aledwan, H. & Saady, A. Cyclodextrin-based rotaxanes as a versatile platform for biological and medicinal applications. Commun Chem 8, 149 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-025-01555-6
(4) Sagor, M.I.H., Wang, Q., Wang, J. et al. Cyclodextrin attenuates atherosclerosis by diminishing gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated pyroptosis. Sci Rep 15, 21605 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04889-2
(5) Liang, D., Lv, Z., Meng, Z. et al. Development and evaluation of cepharanthine-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex oral tablets for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 lung injury. Sci Rep 15, 20989 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04167-1
(6) Gaedke, M., Ramström, A., Pooler, D.R.S. et al. Controlling cyclodextrin host-guest complexation in water with dynamic pericyclic chemistry. Commun Chem 9, 51 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-025-01858-8
(7) Akhondi, M., Korrani, Z.S., Mohammad-Sadeghipour, M. et al. Anticancer and antibacterial activity of the cellulose nanocrystals modified by cyclodextrin and loaded by propolis. Sci Rep 15, 24799 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08622-x
(8) Beeren, S.R. Sweet molecular containers. Nat. Chem. 18, 212 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-025-02033-1