The encapsulation of three platinum(II)-based anticancer complexes, [(5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)(1S,2S-diaminocyclohexane)platinum(II )](2+) (56MESS), [(5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)(1R,2R-diaminocyclohexane)platinum(II )](2+) (56MERR), and [(5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)(ethylenediamine)platinum(II)](2+) (56MEEN), with scarboxylated-beta-cyclodextrin (c-beta-CD) and p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene (s-CX[41) has been examined by one- and two-dimensional H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, pulsed gradient spin-echo NMR, ultraviolet spectrophotometry, glutathione degradation experiments, and growth inhibition assays. Titration of any of the three metal complexes with c-beta-CD resulted in 1:1 encapsulation complexes with the cyclodextrin located over the intercalating ligand of the metal complexes, with a binding constant of 10(4)-10(5) M-1. In addition to binding over the phenanthroline ligand of 56MEEN, c-beta-CD was also found to portal bind to the ethylenediamine ligand, with fast exchange kinetics on the NMR timescale between the two binding sites. In contrast, the three metal complexes all formed 2:2 inclusion complexes with s-CX[4] where the two metal complexes stacked in a head-to-tail configuration and were capped by the s-CX[4] molecules. Interestingly, the 56MEEN-s-CX[4] complex appeared to undergo a thermodynamically controlled rearrangement to a less soluble complex over time. Encapsulation of the metal complexes in either c-beta-CD or s-CX[4] significantly decreased the metal complexes' rate of diffusion, consistent with the formation of larger particle volumes. Encapsulation of 56MESS within s-CX[4] or c-beta-CD protected the metal complex from degradation by reduced L-glutathione, with a reaction half-life greater than 9 days. In vitro growth inhibition assays using the LoVo human colorectal cancer cell line showed no significant change in the cytotoxicity of 56MESS when encapsulated by either s-CX[4] or c-beta-CD.