Dendrimers as drug carriers: Applications in different routes of drug administration

Dendrimers have successfully proved themselves as useful additives in different routes of drug administration because they can render drugs greater water-solubility, bioavailability, and biocompatibility. This review demonstrated the potential of dendrimers to be applied in these detailed routes with particular reference to intravenous, oral, transdermal, and ocular delivery systems. As a necessary introduction, the structures, synthesis, and properties of dendrimers were presented. Furthermore, the interaction mechanisms between dendrimers and drug molecules, including simple encapsulation, electrostatic interaction, and covalent conjugation, were elaborated. (C) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.