(2-Hydroxypropyl)-γ-cyclodextrin belongs to the class of cyclodextrin derivatives, which exhibit a greater extent of solubility in water compared to their parent compounds. It is widely used in parenteral formulations and solid dosage forms to aid in the improvement of their stability, dissolution, bioavailability, etc.
(2-Hydroxypropyl)-γ-cyclodextrin (HPγCD) is a water-soluble alkylated cyclodextrin derivative. It has pharmaceutical potential as it may aid in enhancing the solubility of drugs for oral dosage preparations or formulations. It solubilizes macromolecules, such as cholesterol. It is like β cyclodextrin but solubilizes larger molecules. It favors lysosomes distribution across the cytoplasm and can modulate lysosomal dynamics and participates in lysosomal homeostasis. HPγCD treatment promotes a wide distribution of lysosomes across the cytoplasm in NPC1 patient-derived fibroblasts. In contrast, lysosomes are clustered near the cell center in untreated cells, raising the possibility that HPγCD has the potential to modulate lysosomal dynamics and functions[1]. In the Niemann pick disease model, HPγCD reduces cholesterol accumulation. Industrially produced HPγCD, which is used as a complexing agent in new ophthalmic formulations, is not a single compound but a heterogeneous, complex mixture of homologues and isomers substituted by a variable number of 2-hydroxy-propyl groups at different positions of the sugar moieties[2].
[1] Ashutosh Singhal. “2-Hydroxypropyl-gamma-cyclodextrin overcomes NPC1 deficiency by enhancing lysosome-ER association and autophagy.” Scientific Reports (2020): 8663.
[2] W Blum . "Determination of 2-hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin in plasma of cynomolgus monkeys after oral administration by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.” Journal of Chromatography B: Biomedical Sciences and Applications 720 1 (1998): Pages 171-178.
