Wave-Assisted Techniques, a Greener and Quicker Alternative to Synthesis of Cyclodextrin-Based Nanosponges: A Review

The ever-increasing applications of cyclodextrin and cyclodextrin-based nanosponges in formulation development has gained much attention from researchers towards needed research in this arena. Nanosponges are three-dimensional nanoporous versatile carriers in the pharmaceutical research field because of their capability to encapsulate lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs both in their crystalline structure by inclusion and non-inclusion phenomenon. This review sheds light on the advancements made in this field and the associated patents with regard to their synthesis while zooming in on the utilization of two novel energies (Microwave and ultrasonic) in accomplishing this goal and its future thereof. Microwave and ultrasound-assisted manufacturing of cyclodextrin-based nanosponges (CD-NS) has been found superior to conventional heat-dependent methods due to rapid/homogenous heating and fast kinetics, which ultimately provide the final product with high yield and crystallinity relatively rapidly. The review article also defines several facets of microwave and ultrasound-assisted nanosponge synthesis including the synergism of microwave and ultrasonic energy and the theories behind them. This hitherto unexplored microwave-ultrasonic coupling technology could be a future technology to synthesize CD-NS with a better outcome. In the recent past, these novel energy processes have been used successfully in material synthesis at an industrial scale due to their swift and streamlined synthesis attributes. Likewise, these wave-assisted methods have the full potential to materialize the concept of CD-NS from lab scale to industrial scale as a competent and versatile drug carrier, having all the prerequisite characteristics, for commercialization.