Nanostructures based on ammonium-terminated amphiphilic Janus dendrimers as camptothecin carriers with antiviral activity

Abstract

The self-assembly in water of amphiphilic Janus dendrimers leads to micelles suitable to encapsulate camptothecin and act as therapy against the hepatitis C virus, HCV. Dendrimers consist of bis-MPA dendrons linked by their focal point through a CuAAC reaction. The hydrophilic dendron wears ammonium groups in its periphery whereas the lipophilic dendrons contain stearic acid chains. The morphology of the aggregates is controlled through the chemical structure of the dendrimers, particularly their molecular weight and the adequate combination of the lipophilic and hydrophilic blocks. Camptothecin-loaded dendrimer aggregates constitute effective systems to inhibit HCV replication and show low toxicity working at low drug concentrations.