β-Cyclodextrin-conjugated butein as a selective electrochemical molecular trafficking system for bilastine

Simple method for monitoring the therapeutic efficient concentration of anti-histamine drug, bilastine (BIL), is essential for rationalizing allergy and respiratory therapy. Herein, an external redox-mediator free molecular trafficking approach was developed using conjugated oligosaccharide-polyphenol system, β-cyclodextrin-butein (BCD-Bt). Mechanism behind the molecular loading of BIL within the hydrophobic cavity of BCD simultaneously enabling the redox-active signal transduction from the conjugated Bt are explored using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetric analyses. BCD-Bt sensor platform exemplified the selective loading of analyte BIL with a reliable detection linearity (nm to μM, R 2 = 0.981) and limit feasible for salivary therapeutic drug monitoring. Synergistic optical absorbance and emission-based molecular trafficking test further complements the multi-modal functionality of the demonstrated BCD-Bt in other similar molecular assays. • Method for external-redox mediator free detection of bilastine drug is demonstrated • Beta-cyclodextrin-conjugated butein a dual signal transducer for molecular interaction • Molecular trafficking-induced signal quenching in optical and electrochemical method • Selective bilastine molecular trafficking at BCD-Bt via hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding • Ultra-micromolar concentration detection of bilastine spiked in salivary samples