Dendrimers as therapeutic agents: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
Dendrimers by virtue of their therapeutic value have recently generated enormous interest among biomedical scientists. This review describes the therapeutic prospects of the dendrimer system.


RESULTS
Their bioactivity suggests them to be promising therapeutic agents, especially in wound healing, bone mineralisation, cartilage formation and tissue repair, and in topical treatments to prevent HIV transmission. Findings also demonstrate their potential as anti-prion, anti-Alzheimer's, anticoagulant, antidote, anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents. One of the dendrimer-based formulations with activity against herpes simplex virus (VivaGel from Starpharma) has successfully completed phase I clinical trials and is expected to be available on the market soon.


CONCLUSIONS
All reports cited in this review demonstrate the use of dendrimers as medical therapeutics in different ailments. The review focuses on the current state of therapeutic potential of the dendrimer system.
Gajbhiye
Virendra
V
Pharmaceutics Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr Hari Singh Gour University, Sagar, India. cme_virendra@yahoo.co.in
Palanirajan
Vijayaraj K
VK
Tekade
Rakesh K
RK
Jain
Narendra K
NK
D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans
D050091:Dendrimers; D004337:Drug Carriers