kappa-Cyclodextrin , Cyclomaltopentadecaose, CD15

Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides consisting of six, seven, or eight glucose units. They form inclusion complexes with many guest molecules. These complexes can be used to separate the guest molecules based on size and charge. Cyclodextrin is a modified sugar that is used as a stabilizer in pharmaceutical preparations. It also has been shown to inhibit the activity of enzymes such as alpha-amylase, beta-glucosidase, and alpha-galactosidase. Methylation of the glucopyranose ring gives it an additional methyl group at C1 and C6. This makes the molecule more soluble in water, which allows for use in oral formulations. Methylation also increases stability against heat and other environmental factors such as air or light, which is important for storage purposes. kappa-Cyclodextrin may be used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2 by stimulating insulin release from pancreatic.