Application of Dendrimers for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Dendrimers are drug delivery systems that are characterized by a three-dimensional, star-shaped, branched macromolecular network. They possess ideal properties such as low polydispersity index, biocompatibility and good water solubility. They are made up of the interior and the exterior layers. The exterior layer consists of functional groups that are useful for conjugation of drugs and targeting moieties. The interior layer exhibits improved drug encapsulation efficiency, reduced drug toxicity, and controlled release mechanisms. These unique properties make them useful for drug delivery. Dendrimers have attracted considerable attention as drug delivery system for the treatment of infectious diseases. The treatment of infectious diseases is hampered severely by drug resistance. Several properties of dendrimers such as their ability to overcome drug resistance, toxicity and control the release mechanism of the encapsulated drugs make them ideal systems for the treatment of infectious disease. The aim of this review is to discuss the potentials of dendrimers for the treatment of viral and parasitic infections.

Keywords: antivirals; dendrimers; drug delivery; parasites; polymers.

Figure 1

Schematic diagram of dendrimers (G1–G4).

Figure 2

Schematic representation of dendrimers and their applications, (a) PAMAM-G3 dendrimers for drug delivery; (b) PAMAM-G1 dendrimers for tissue engineering; (c) PLL dendrimers for gene delivery; and (d) PPI dendrimers for diagnosis.

Figure 2

Schematic representation of dendrimers and their applications, (a) PAMAM-G3 dendrimers for drug delivery; (b) PAMAM-G1 dendrimers for tissue engineering; (c) PLL dendrimers for gene delivery; and (d) PPI dendrimers for diagnosis.

Figure 2

Schematic representation of dendrimers and their applications, (a) PAMAM-G3 dendrimers for drug delivery; (b) PAMAM-G1 dendrimers for tissue engineering; (c) PLL dendrimers for gene delivery; and (d) PPI dendrimers for diagnosis.

Figure 3

Antileishmaniasis drugs (a) Miltefosine; (b) Sodium stibogluconate; (c) Amphotericin B; (d) Paromomycin.

Figure 4

Dendrimer loaded with amphotericin B.

Figure 5

Anti-toxoplasmosis drugs: Pyrimethamine (a); Sulfadoxine (b).

Figure 6

Schematic representation of PPMO with transductive peptide.

Figure 7

The anti-schistosomiasis drug: Praziquantel.

Figure 8

Antimalarials drugs: Primaquine (a); Chloroquine (b); Artemisinin (c).

Figure 9

Schematic presentation of Amphiphilic dendrimers (R = C₁₇H₃₅, X = H₂N).

Figure 10

Antiretroviral drugs: Efavirenz (a), Zidovudine (b), Tenofovir (c).

Figure 11

Second generation cationic carbosilane dendrimers branched with carbon-silicon bonds.

Figure 12

Generic representation of peptide dendrimers.

Figure 13

The anti-herpes simplex drug: Acyclovir.

Figure 14

Anti-hepatitis drugs: Sofosbuvir (a); Ribavirin (b).

Figure 15

Anti-influenza drugs: Oseltamivir (a); Amantadine (b); Rimantadine (c).

Figure 16

Generation 4 PAMAM sialic acid-based dendrimers.

Figure 17

Anticancer drugs: Cisplatin (a); Paclitaxel (b); Topotecan (c).