Inclusion complexes of modified cyclodextrins with some flavonols

The inclusion complexes of four flavonols with modified cyclodextrins (CDs) have been investigated. The effect of heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl) β-cyclodextrin (DM-β-CD) and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) on the aqueous solubility of flavonols, namely, galangin, kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin was investigated, respectively. The increased solubility of all flavonols in the presence of CD was evidenced. The NMR experiment and molecular modeling studies showed that flavonols interact with each modified CD through different binding modes. Flavonols can complex with CDs largely by two binding modes. The first one is that B-ring of flavonols is oriented toward secondary rim of CD. The second one is that A-ring of flavonols is oriented toward secondary rim of CD. Whereas only the first mode was observed in DM-β-CD complexes, both the first and the second mode were observed in HP-β-CD complexes in this study.