Carbosilane dendrimers: Drug and gene delivery applications

Carbosilane dendrimers are a particular type of dendrimer structure that has been used as delivery vehicles for drugs and nucleic acids. They have a defined structure according to their generation number, and their terminal groups can be rendered cationic or anionic. The cationic charges can address the limitation of electrostatic repulsion between the negatively charged phosphate groups of nucleic acids and negatively charged cell membranes. Specific drugs can be loaded into the central part of the dendrimer or attached at the exterior, and the overall positive charge may improve the efficacy of anti-inflammatory drugs. One promising feature of dendrimers is their non-toxicity both in vitro and in vivo up to therapeutic concentrations. Carbosilane dendrimers display good biocompatibility and can be used for anti-HIV, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory applications, as well as for delivery of nucleic acids for anti-cancer therapy.