Water-soluble β-cyclodextrin grafted with chitosan and its inclusion complex as a mucoadhesive eugenol carrier

► Inclusion complex of water-soluble βCD-grafted chitosan and eugenol was studied. ► Eugenol can be included both in βCD and hydrophobic core of the self-aggregates. ► Degree of βCD substitution plays a role on complex formation and its properties. ► This new drug carrier holds great potentials for mucosal hydrophobic drug delivery.