Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Inclusion Complexes of β-Cyclodextrin with Fingolimod

The solubilizing effect of β-cyclodextrin on fingolimod, a new generation immunosuppressant, is studied for the first time. A possible 20× increase in the solubility of fingolimod due to the penetration of the hydrophobic fragment of the drug molecule into the macrocyclic cavity of the cyclodextrin is shown. Data driven (1)H NMR spectroscopy and computer modeling suggest the configuration of the resulting inclusion complexes. The constant of the complex’s stability and its energy of complexation are calculated, and the formation of hydrogen bonds between fingolimod and β-cyclodextrin is considered.