Dendrimer: A Novel Polymer

Author(s)

Pandya, D.P., Chaudhari, M.J., Thakkar, P.P., Soni, A.M., Bharadia, P.D.

Author's Affiliation

Abstract

Dendrimers are a unique class of synthetic macromolecules having highly branched, three-dimensional, nan scale architecture with very low polydispersity and high functionality. These features have made their application in nanotechnology, pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry particularly attractive. Synthetic approaches lead to a dendritic architecture with properties amenable to modifications of shape, size, polarity, surface properties and internal structure. Nanoparticle drug-delivery systems are the popular ones as are able to increase the selectivity and stability of therapeutic agents. However reticuloendothelial system (RES) uptake, drug leakage, immunogenicity, hemolytic toxicity, cytotoxicity, hydrophobicity restrict the use of these nanostructures. These shortcomings are overcome by surface engineering the dendrimer such as Polyester dendrimer, Citric acid dendrimer, Arginine dendrimer, Glycodendrimers, PEGylated dendrimers, etc. The bioactive agents can be easily encapsulated into the interior of the dendrimers or chemically attached i.e. conjugated or physically adsorbed onto the dendrimer surface, serving the desired properties of the carrier to the specific needs of the active material and its therapeutic applications. In addition to supplying a multivalent backbone for drug attachment, dendrimers also provide access to various new polymer architectures that are potentially relevant to drug delivery applications.

Keywords

Dendrimers, Poly (Propylene Imine), Polyamidoamine

Cite This Article

Pandya, D.P., Chaudhari, M.J., Thakkar, P.P., Soni, A.M., Bharadia, P.D. (2012). Dendrimer: A Novel Polymer, International Journal for Pharmaceutical Research Scholars , 1(2), 404-420.