Artemether/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin host–guest system: Characterization, phase-solubility and inclusion mode Original Research Article

An inclusion complex of the antimalarial artemether (ATM) in hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) was prepared and characterized. The phase-solubility diagram for the drug showed an increase in water solubility and gave an apparent binding constant of 220 M−1. According to 1H NMR and 2D NMR spectroscopy (ROESY), the inclusion mode involves two CH3 from the drug orientated in the HPβCD cavity. The complex was characterized by Powder X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis. In addition, the complex produces a 1.81-fold enhancement in apparent bioavailability compared to artemether.