Supramolecular system of podophyllotoxin and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin: Characterization, inclusion mode, docking calculation, solubilization, stability and cytotoxic activity.

The inclusion complexation behavior, characterization, and inclusion mode of podophyllotoxin (POD) with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) were investigated in both solution and the solid state by means of XRD, DSC, SEM, 1 H and 2D NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy. The results showed that the water solubility and thermal stability of POD were obviously increased in the inclusion complex with HPβCD. The cytotoxicity of POD/HPβCD inclusion complex against all the human tumor cell lines investigated still remains. This satisfactory water solubility and high thermal stability of the POD/HPβCD complex will be potentially useful for their application as herbal medicines or healthcare products.