Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound having a cyclodextrin skeleton wherein a hydrogen atom at the C-6 position in at least one of the sugar moieties has been substituted with a cyano group thereby forming a cyanohydrin-type group. The compounds are found to be excellent catalysts, e.g. for the hydrolysis of aryl glycosides. Accordingly, the compounds of the invention are useful as medicaments, in particular for the treatment of poisoning and drug abuse. The compounds, optionally immobilized to a solid phase material, are useful to reduce the content of harmful substances, e.g. metabolites of fungi, insects, etc., from compositions such as foodstuff.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein n, m, and p, which may be the same or different, are a number between 0 and 5; q is a number between 0 and 10; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 R.sub.3 R.sub.4 and R.sub.5, which may be the same or different, are a hydrogen, a hydroxyl, a halogen, a hydrocarbon or an O-hydrocarbon group having between 1 and 6 carbons which is aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic, or a glycosyl group; and R.sub.4 is a glycosyl group, is disclosed. Nitrogen oxides of such compounds are also included. These novel compounds have been found to be potent glycohydrolase inhibitors. Processes for preparing these novel compounds and methods for their use in the treatment of diabetes mellitus are also provided.