Cyclodextrin-based delivery systems for dietary pharmaceuticals

The food industry is increasingly seeking innovative solutions for enhancing the bioavailability and clinical efficacy of phytochemicals. In this regard, cyclodextrins have gained widespread attention as functional excipients. Numerous studies have demonstrated that cyclodextrin inclusion complexes enhance the apparent water solubility, physical chemical stability, and improve the bioavailability of dietary phytochemicals. Recently, the dual-encapsulation approach has been developed, which involves the complexation of dietary molecules with cyclodextrins, followed by encapsulation into nanomaterials such as liposomes, nanoparticles and conjugates. Here, we review the current applications of natural and chemically modified cyclodextrins for the delivery of dietary phytochemicals. The main emphasis is given on inclusion complexes for enhancing the solubility, bioavailability and efficacy of dietary phytochemicals. We also discuss dual-encapsulation-based approaches developed for improved efficacy of dietary phytochemicals.