Cucurbituril-Oriented Nanoplatforms in Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Cucucrbituril (CB) belongs to a family of macrocycles that are easily accessible. Their structural specificity provides excellent molecular recognition capabilities, with the ability to be readily chemically modified. Because of these properties, researchers have found CB to be a useful molecular carrier for delivering drug molecules and therapeutic biomolecules. Their significance lies in the fact that CB not only increases the solubility and stability of an encapsulated guest but also provides the possibility to achieve targeted delivery of the guest molecule. Therefore, the emergence of CB undoubtedly provides opportunities for the development of targeted drug delivery in an era where intelligent drugs have attracted considerable attention. It has also been found that CB can enhance fluorescent dyes, allowing the preparation of biosensors with enhanced sensitivity for use in clinical settings. In the present review, the acquisition, properties, and structural modifications of CB are first comprehensively described, and then the value of this macrocycle in applications within the medical field is discussed. In addition, we have also summarized patent applications of CB in this field over recent years, aiming to illustrate the current status of developments of this molecule. Finally, we discuss the challenges faced by CB in the medical field and future trends in its development.

A 2-in-1 multi-functional sensor for efficient epinephrine detection based on a cucurbit[7]uril functionalized lanthanide metal–organic framework and its intelligent application in a molecular robot

“…Cucurbit[n]urils (CBs) are composed of n glycoluril molecules bound in a ring structure via methylene bridges. 21,22 The special structure of these compounds can bind ammonium ions via a combination of hydrophobic interactions in the nonpolar lumen of the CB. 23 Being a compound containing a monoamine structure, EPI shows relatively binding affinities for CB through hydrogen bonding and ion-dipole interactions.…”

A cucurbit[6]uril-carbon dot system: a potentially new bioimaging agent

“…Indeed, they are now widely used in sensing, drug delivery, nanomaterials and other fields. [15][16][17][18][19] However, several inherent disadvantages of Q[n]s hinder their wider development and application. Firstly, Q[n]s do not possess any absorption or fluorescence in the visible region.…”

Fabrication of Nanowalled Catalytically Self-Threaded Supramolecular Polyrotaxane Microcapsules Using Droplet Microfluidics

“…Owing to these unique properties, porphyrins have been widely used in the construction of rotaxane-based assemblies with cucurbit­[ n ]­urils, − in which the CB­[ n ] macrocycle is threaded onto an axle-like component through noncovalent interactions. These engineered rotaxane assemblies offer many interesting properties and extensive applications especially in construction of stimuli-responsive materials. − …”

“…They can be found in various sizes depending on the number of glycol units present in their structure . CBs have become important building blocks of supramolecular assemblies because of their interesting structural features, which can provide rich host–guest chemistry as well as displaying outstanding properties such as nontoxicity, high biocompatibility, and thermal and chemical stability. ,− Among CBs, CB6 with six glycol units is unique due to its ability to catalyze 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between properly substituted alkyne and azide substrates by forming 1,4-disubstituted triazoles. This feature was extensively explored in the synthesis of rotaxanes and polyrotaxanes. ,,,, …”