Current Topics Cutting-Edge Science of Cyclodextrin Foreword

Cyclodextrins were first isolated in 1891 as degradation products of starch and were characterized as cyclic oligosaccharides. The α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins are the most common natural forms, consisting of six, seven, and eight glucose units, respectively. Recently, various kinds of cyclodextrin derivatives have been developed to extend the physicochemical properties and inclusion capacity of natural cyclodextrins. The inclusion phenomenon of cyclodextrins has been widely used in various fields and is currently applied to household commodities, food, cosmetics, supplements, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, paints, etc. A continuously increasing number of publications demonstrates the existing interest in cyclodextrin research and development. According to Cyclodextrin News, the number of cyclodextrin-related publications (papers, patents, and conference presentations) has increased in recent 5-year periods, e.g., to 10450, 13404, and 18430 in 2001-2005, 2005-2010, and 2011-2015, respectively. The leading application is still pharmaceutical. In particular, Sugammadex, a γ-cyclodextrin derivative, is the first clinical representative of a new class of drugs called selective relaxant-binding agents.