Discovered in 1891, cyclodextrins, derived from starchy food, have found many applications in the cosmetic, agriculture, food and pharmaceutical industries as carriers of hydrophobic active substances due to biocompatible properties and their unique cage-like molecular structure that can form complexes with smaller molecules. Unexpectedly, recent research shows that cyclodextrins also can be active pharmaceutical ingredients such as artificial receptors and cholesterol modulators. Here, we discuss cyclodextrins with focus on their properties, their classical use as excipients, and their new applications as active ingredients in the following diseases: COVID-19, neuromuscular blockade, Stargardt, hemophilia, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer, Parkinson, diabetic kidney disease, dry eye disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, Alport syndrome and Niemann–Pick C.

源自淀粉类食品的环糊精于 1891 年被发现，由于其生物相容性及其独特的笼状分子结构，可与较小的分子形成复合物，因此在化妆品、农业、食品和制药工业中作为疏水活性物质的载体得到了许多应用。出乎意料的是，最近的研究表明，环糊精也可以是活性药物成分，例如人工受体和胆固醇调节剂。在这里，我们讨论了环糊精，重点介绍了它们的性质、它们作为赋形剂的经典用途以及它们在以下疾病中作为活性成分的新应用：COVID-19、神经肌肉阻滞、Stargardt、血友病、动脉粥样硬化、阿尔茨海默病、帕金森病、糖尿病肾病、干眼症、局灶节段性肾小球硬化、Alport 综合征和 Niemann-Pick C。