Abstract
Dendrimers represent a class of novel polymers having unique molecular architectures characterized by their well-defined structure, with a high degree of molecular uniformity, low polydispersity and properties that make them attractive materials for the development of nanomedicines. The dendrimer drug delivery can be achieved by coupling a drug through one of two approaches. Hydrophobic drugs can be complexed within the hydrophobic dendrimer interior to make them water-soluble or drugs can be covalently coupled onto the surface of the dendrimer. In addition, dendrimers have been shown to be capable of bypassing efflux transporters. A new generation of dendrimer-based delivery systems will enable the efficient transport of drugs across cellular barriers. This review deals principally with the synthesis, characterization and recent applications of dendrimers. In future it will only ever be possible to designate a dendrimer as safe means of drug delivery related to a specific application. However, so far limited clinical experience using dendrimers makes it impossible to designate any particular system which is safe and non toxic. Although there is widespread concern as to the safety of nanosized particles, preclinical and clinical experience gained during the development of polymeric excipients, biomedical polymers and polymer therapeutics showed that judicious development of dendrimer chemistry for each specific application will ensure development of safe and important materials for biomedical and pharmaceutical use.
Keywords: Dendrimers, polymer, nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals, synthesis, characterization
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Dendrimers: A Class of Polymers in the Nanotechnology for the Delivery of Active Pharmaceuticals
Volume: 15 Issue: 25
Author(s): Abdus Samad, Md. Intakhab Alam and Kinshuk Saxena
Affiliation:
Keywords: Dendrimers, polymer, nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals, synthesis, characterization
Abstract: Dendrimers represent a class of novel polymers having unique molecular architectures characterized by their well-defined structure, with a high degree of molecular uniformity, low polydispersity and properties that make them attractive materials for the development of nanomedicines. The dendrimer drug delivery can be achieved by coupling a drug through one of two approaches. Hydrophobic drugs can be complexed within the hydrophobic dendrimer interior to make them water-soluble or drugs can be covalently coupled onto the surface of the dendrimer. In addition, dendrimers have been shown to be capable of bypassing efflux transporters. A new generation of dendrimer-based delivery systems will enable the efficient transport of drugs across cellular barriers. This review deals principally with the synthesis, characterization and recent applications of dendrimers. In future it will only ever be possible to designate a dendrimer as safe means of drug delivery related to a specific application. However, so far limited clinical experience using dendrimers makes it impossible to designate any particular system which is safe and non toxic. Although there is widespread concern as to the safety of nanosized particles, preclinical and clinical experience gained during the development of polymeric excipients, biomedical polymers and polymer therapeutics showed that judicious development of dendrimer chemistry for each specific application will ensure development of safe and important materials for biomedical and pharmaceutical use.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Samad Abdus, Alam Intakhab Md. and Saxena Kinshuk, Dendrimers: A Class of Polymers in the Nanotechnology for the Delivery of Active Pharmaceuticals, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2009; 15 (25) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161209789058200
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161209789058200 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Dequalinium-Derived Nanoconstructs: A Promising Vehicle for Mitochondrial Targeting
Current Drug Delivery Commercial Development and Application of Type A Lantibiotics
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Paclitaxel Loaded Nanoliposomes in Thermosensitive Hydrogel: A Dual Approach for Sustained and Localized Delivery
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Synthetic Thioamide, Benzimidazole, Quinolone and Derivatives with Carboxylic Acid and Ester Moieties: A Strategy in the Design of Antituberculosis Agents
Current Medicinal Chemistry Rationale for Designing of Antigen-Specific Immune Therapy Including Dendritic Cell-Based Therapy in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Anti-Infective Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Treatment of Uterine Carcinomas
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews High-Content Screening and Mechanism-Based Evaluation of Estrogenic Botanical Extracts
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Mucoadhesive Vaginal Drug Delivery Systems
Recent Patents on Drug Delivery & Formulation Roles of Medicinal Plants and Constituents in Gynecological Cancer Therapy: Current Literature and Future Directions
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase Signaling as a Therapeutic Target for Cervical Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets Role of Polyamines in Parasite Cell Architecture and Function
Current Pharmaceutical Design Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy
Current Women`s Health Reviews Microemulsions as Carriers for Therapeutic Molecules
Recent Patents on Drug Delivery & Formulation The Toolbox of Designing Nanoparticles for Tumors
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Tamoxifen and its New Derivatives in Cancer Research
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Mucoadhesive Nanoparticulate System for Oral Drug Delivery: A Review
Current Drug Therapy Physical and Chemical Stimuli-Responsive Drug Delivery Systems: Targeted Delivery and Main Routes of Administration
Current Pharmaceutical Design Therapeutic Modulation of Cytokines in Chronic Infectious Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Activation of B Cells by a Dendritic Cell-Targeted Oral Vaccine
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Recombinant Human Polyclonal Antibodies: A New Class of Therapeutic Antibodies Against Viral Infections
Current Pharmaceutical Design