A comparison of spacer on water-soluble cyclodextrin grafted chitosan inclusion complex as carrier of eugenol to mucosae

► Inclusion complex of water-soluble β-cyclodextrin grafted chitosan was studied. ► The spacer on both derivatives plays a role on physical properties of the complex. ► Self-aggregates of the derivative led to high encapsulation and slow EG release. ► Stronger mucoadhesive response was found with the derivative with citrate spacer.