Preparation of Tris(2-aminoethyl)amine-Cross-Linked Cyclodextrin-Based Porous Nanospheres and Their Application as Drug Delivery Systems

Cyclodextrins (CDs) show functionality, biocompatibility, and host-guest inclusion capacity with a variety of molecules. These unique properties offer great potential for the exploitation of CDs as drug delivery systems. An easy, green, and effective synthetic approach was described to develop CD-based porous nanospheres (CDPNSs) with a size distribution from 100 to 400 nm. A new cross-linker tris(2-aminoethyl)amine was used to cross-link modified β-CD at room temperature. The resulting CD-based polymers (CDPs) were reshaped from a random morphology into a spherical shape during a dialysis process, and CDPNSs were obtained. The morphologies of CDPs and CDPNSs were observed with scanning electron microscopy. The average diameter and the size distribution of CDPNSs were determined by dynamic light scattering. The structures of the resulting products were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, solid-state ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, a study was conducted on drug loading and in vitro release behavior of CDPNSs, which was monitored by ultraviolet spectroscopy. The prepared CDPNSs show the potential as drug delivery systems.