Understanding Physico-chemical Interactions of Dendrimers with Guest Molecules for Efficient Drug and Gene Delivery

Abstract

Drug and gene deliveries are crucial aspects in biomedical application as they stimulate biological response of the body to elicit a therapeutic effect. It is seen that drugs, their formulations and the route of administrations, play a vital role in enhancing therapeutic effect onto the desired cellular or intracellular target. But, conventional drug forms suffer from poor pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics profile. For this purpose, different nanosized dendrimer-based drug and gene delivery systems and the interactions between dendrimers and guest molecules have been reviewed. Dendrimers as drug and gene carriers enhance the systemic blood circulation time, biocompatibility, and reduce toxicity. While, on one hand, non-covalent interactions of dendrimer-drug (physical encapsulation) improves drug solubility, on the other hand, electrostatic interactions with charged molecule encourages endosomal escape. Covalent association through various physiologically labile bonds or cleavable linkers can achieve controlled release and targeted delivery of the therapeutic moiety. Dendrimers can act as versatile tools for delivery of nucleic acids, drugs, vaccines for different diseases via different administration routes.