Investigation of inclusion complex of cilnidipine with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

► We prepared cilnidipine-HP-β-CD inclusion complex for the first time. ► The results of DSC, PXRD, FT-IR and 1H NMR all proved the formation of cilnidipine-HP-β-CD inclusion complex. ► The solubility of cilnidipine was increased for more than 10,000-fold in the presence of HP-β-CD. ► The dissolution rates and photostability of cilnidipine were also improved through complexation technique.