Preparation, characterization and keratinocytes cell viability of a β-Cyclodextrin–Myrcene complex intended for skin application

Context Myrcene is widely used in industrial and biomedical applications, but its low water solubility and high volatility limit formulation and environmental stability. Objective This research investigated the formation of a β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex with myrcene, improvement of entrapment, physicochemical characterization and changes associated with complexation, also evaluating cytocompatibility in HaCaT keratinocytes. Materials and methods Analytical method was validated though UV–Vis spectrophotometric for myrcene quantification. Inclusion complexes were obtained by co-precipitation and optimized using a face-centered response surface design. Selected complexes were characterized by FTIR, thermal behavior TGA and DSC, XRD, and microscopy SEM. Cell viability was assessed in HaCaT cells by MTT. Results Inclusion complex presented 75.88% efficacy during process 2 and then proceeded to characterization. FTIR indicated changes in band position/intensity consistent with host–guest interactions. Thermal analyses showed reduced water-loss events and disappearance of β-CD thermal transitions associated with crystalline rearrangement, supporting complex formation. X-ray diffraction results suggest a reduction in crystallinity with a reduction in peaks in the samples. Scanning electron microscopy data show the formation of cubic/rhomboid structures. n HaCaT cells, free myrcene maintained viability above 70% across most tested concentrations, whereas β-CD and the inclusion complex reduced apparent viability at higher concentrations, consistent with limited aqueous solubility and possible assay/physical interference at elevated loads. Conclusions β-CD effectively entraps myrcene via inclusion complexation, confirmed by complementary solid-state and thermal analyses. Cytocompatibility results highlight the need to define concentration ranges that minimize solubility-related effects in keratinocyte assays while preserving the formulation advantages of complexation.