Modification of the apparent lipophilicity of steroidal drugs with gamma-cyclodextrin

The interaction between 17 steroidal drugs and gamma-cyclo-dextrin (gamma-CD) was determined by charge-transfer chromatography and the relative strength of interaction was calculated. The relationship between the strength of interaction and the physico-chemical parameters of steroidal drugs was elucidated with principal component analysis. Gamma-CD interacted with each steroidal drug decreasing the apparent hydrophobicity of the guest molecules. Calculations indicated that the interaction between the drugs and gamma-CD is of mixed character: steric, hydrophobic and electronic forces are involved in the complex formation. The marked influence of gamma-CD on the apparent hydrophobicity of drugs suggests that this interaction may modify the biological properties (absorption, uptake, half-life etc.) of drug-gamma-CD complexes resulting in modified efficacy. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.