Abstract
Dendrimers are hyper branched macro molecules with well-defined structure and high degree of functionality on the surface. The dendrimer architecture allows control over properties such as shape, size, density, polarity, reactivity, solubility etc. These special features can be exploited to design molecules having desired properties used for biomedical applications. Recent advancements in correlation between structure and biodegradability and in vivo performance are opening up new avenues for these molecules; particularly, in biological applications like drug delivery. The unique structure of dendrimers provides enough attachment sites for drugs. Further, it is possible to tune the molecules in such a way so that the drug molecules are encapsulated outside the target area and are released only in the local environment of targets. This review presents some general aspects of dendrimers and how their properties are exploited for drug delivery applications.
Keywords: Biomedical applications, conjugation, dendrimer, pharmaceutical, drug delivery systems, encapsulation, prodrug.
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Dendrimers: General Aspects, Applications and Structural Exploitations as Prodrug/Drug-delivery Vehicles in Current Medicine
Volume: 18 Issue: 5
Author(s): Merina Mariyam, Kajal Ghosal*, Sabu Thomas, Nandakumar Kalarikkal and Mahima S. Latha*
Affiliation:
- Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills, Kottayam, Kerala 686560,India
- Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills, Kottayam, Kerala 686560,India
Keywords: Biomedical applications, conjugation, dendrimer, pharmaceutical, drug delivery systems, encapsulation, prodrug.
Abstract: Dendrimers are hyper branched macro molecules with well-defined structure and high degree of functionality on the surface. The dendrimer architecture allows control over properties such as shape, size, density, polarity, reactivity, solubility etc. These special features can be exploited to design molecules having desired properties used for biomedical applications. Recent advancements in correlation between structure and biodegradability and in vivo performance are opening up new avenues for these molecules; particularly, in biological applications like drug delivery. The unique structure of dendrimers provides enough attachment sites for drugs. Further, it is possible to tune the molecules in such a way so that the drug molecules are encapsulated outside the target area and are released only in the local environment of targets. This review presents some general aspects of dendrimers and how their properties are exploited for drug delivery applications.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Mariyam Merina , Ghosal Kajal *, Thomas Sabu , Kalarikkal Nandakumar and Latha S. Mahima *, Dendrimers: General Aspects, Applications and Structural Exploitations as Prodrug/Drug-delivery Vehicles in Current Medicine, Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2018; 18 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389557517666170512095151
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389557517666170512095151 |
Print ISSN 1389-5575 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5607 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Bioprospecting of Natural Products as Sources of New Multitarget Therapies
According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, bioprospecting is the exploration of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge to develop commercially valuable products for pharmaceutical and other applications. Bioprospecting involves searching for useful organic compounds in plants, fungi, marine organisms, and microorganisms. Natural products traditionally constituted the primary source of more than ...read more
Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry
The thematic issue "Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry" provides a robust platform for delving into state-of-the-art computational methodologies and technologies that significantly propel advancements in medicinal chemistry. This edition seeks to amalgamate top-tier reviews spotlighting the latest trends and breakthroughs in the fusion of computational approaches, including artificial intelligence (AI) ...read more
Natural Products and Dietary Supplements in Alleviation of Metabolic, Cardiovascular, and Neurological Disorders
Metabolic disorders like diabetes, obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, cancer etc, cardiovascular disorders like angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure etc as well as neurological disorders like Alzheimer?s, Parkinson?s, Epilepsy, Depression, etc are the global burden. They covered the major segment of the diseases and disorders from which the human community ...read more
Natural Products in Drug Discovery
Natural products have always been one of the important ways of drug discovery due to their novel skeleton and diverse functional group characteristics. According to statistics, between 1981 and 2019, the FDA approved a total of 1,394 small molecule drugs for marketing, of which 930 marketed drugs originated from the ...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
Related Articles
-
HDL Elevators and Mimetics - Emerging Therapies for Atherosclerosis
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Autophagy Inhibition Rescues Against Leptin-Induced Cardiac Contractile Dysfunction
Current Pharmaceutical Design Circulating ACE2 in Cardiovascular and Kidney Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry Overview of Therapeutic Potential of Rapamycin for Coronary Artery Diseases in the Era of the Drug-Eluting Stent
Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued) Therapeutic Potential of Targeting Protease Activated Receptors in Cardiovascular Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Nitric Oxide and Dietary Factors: Part II Cholesterol, Fat, Amino Acids,Proteins and Carbohydrate
Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued) Psoriatic Arthritis – Review of the Immunologic, Clinic and Therapeutic Aspects of an Inflammatory Systemic Disease
Current Rheumatology Reviews Oat β-Glucan Reduces Serum LDL Cholesterol in Humans with Serum LDL Cholesterol <160mg/dL
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Sorbitol Dehydrogenase: Structure, Function and Ligand Design
Current Medicinal Chemistry Thioridazine: The Good and the Bad
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Adverse Effects of Cigarette Smoke and Induction of Oxidative Stress in Cardiomyocytes and Vascular Endothelium
Current Pharmaceutical Design Platelet Function and Antiplatelet Therapy in Cardiovascular Disease: Implications of Genetic Polymorphisms
Current Vascular Pharmacology Coronary Angiography Using Noninvasive Imaging Techniques of Cardiac CT and MRI
Current Cardiology Reviews Hypothyroidism and Cardiovascular Disease: Factors, Mechanism and Future Perspectives
Current Medicinal Chemistry Cardiometabolic Risk Related to the Association of hypertriglyceridemia-Low HDLc
Current Pharmaceutical Design Comparison of Valvulopathy Risk with Lorcaserin and Phenterminetopiramate for Weight Loss
Current Drug Therapy An Overview on COVID-19 and its Effect on Cardiovascular Diseases
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Pulmonary Hypertension secondary to Left Heart Disease
Current Vascular Pharmacology Antiulcer and Antioxidant Activity of a Lectin from Mucuna pruriens Seeds on Ethanol- induced Gastropathy: Involvement of Alpha-2 Adrenoceptors and Prostaglandins
Current Pharmaceutical Design Solving the Programmed/Non-Programmed Aging Conundrum
Current Aging Science