A Review of Dendrimer-based Approach to Novel Drug Delivery Systems

Abstract

Dendrimers are synthetic macromolecules having highly branched, three-dimensional nanoscale architecture with very low polydispersity and higher functionality. They are polymers bearing regular dendritic architectures and represent a novel class of systems which features modifiable surface groups, multi-functionality and nanoscale monodispersed size. These molecules can form covalent or noncovalent complexes with pharmaceutical compounds and act as vehicles for targeted drug delivery and controlled-release purposes. Complex formation with other compounds can be promoted, for example, by solvophobic/solvophilic interactions, hydrogen bonding, or ionic pairing or through chemical binding (conjugation) to their surface groups. This review discusses the advantages, properties, different type of dendrimers, their characterization, dendrimers-based products and their pharmaceutical application in drug delivery systems. Recent advances of dendritic polymers (targeting dendrimers to HIV infected macrophages in vitro and plasmid and doxorubicin co-delivery targeting to tumor) and future prospects of dendrimers are also briefly discussed. Overall, dendrimers are most important macro-molecules in the novel drug delivery system and they have various pharmaceutical as well as non-pharmaceutical applications.