Dendrimer as drug-nanotransporters and as drug per se

Abstract

In this work, the characteristics and applications of dendrimers are reviewed. These are three-dimensional polymers with unique characteristics in the field of nanomaterials, which include: symmetric, stable and well-defined architecture; monodispersed size in the nanometer range; branched multivalent and multifunctional structure; surface groups of type, charge and controlled quantity; extremely high area/volume ratio; and high water solubility. They have also been shown to increase the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of the drugs with which they interact, so they have become relevant drug-nanotransporters systems. Besides, dendrimers are the only type of nanoparticles with the characteristics suitable for use in a wide variety of routes of administration, including intravenous, transdermal, oral and intranasal. Also, dendrimers have been shown to act as nanodrugs per se, presenting activity as anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, enzyme inhibitors, and protein-aggregation inhibitors.