Nanomaterial-based ophthalmic drug delivery

The low bioavailability and side effects of conventional drugs for eye disease necessitate the development of efficient drug delivery systems. Accompanying the developments of nanofabrication techniques, nanomaterials have been recognized as promising tools to overcome these challenges due to their flexible and programmable properties. Given the advances achieved in material science, a broad spectrum of functional nanomaterials capable of overcoming various ocular anterior and posterior segment barriers have been explored to satisfy the demands for ocular drug delivery. In this review, we first highlight the unique functions of nanomaterials suitable for carrying and transporting ocular drugs. Then, various functionalization strategies are emphasized to endow nanomaterials with superior performance in enhanced ophthalmic drug delivery. The rational design of several affecting factors is essential for ideal nanomaterial candidates and is depicted as well. Lastly, we introduce the current applications of nanomaterial-based delivery systems in the therapy of different ocular anterior and posterior segment diseases. The limitations of these delivery systems as well as potential solutions are also discussed. This work will inspire innovative design thinking for the development of nanotechnology-mediated strategies for advanced drug delivery and treatment toward ocular diseases.

Function Oriented Molecular Design: Dendrimers as Novel Antimicrobials

In recent years innovative nanostructures are attracting increasing interest and, among them, dendrimers have shown several fields of application. Dendrimers can be designed and modified in plentiful ways giving rise to hundreds of different molecules with specific characteristics and functionalities. Biomedicine is probably the field where these molecules find extraordinary applicability, and this is probably due to their multi-valency and to the fact that several other chemicals can be coupled to them to obtain desired compounds. In this review we will describe the different production strategies and the tools and technologies for the study of their characteristics. Finally, we provide a panoramic overview of their applications to meet biomedical needs, especially their use as novel antimicrobials.

Strategies for penicillin V dendronization with cationic carbosilane dendrons and study of antibacterial properties

Strategies to synthesize a cationic carbosilane dendron containing the antibiotic penicillin V potassium salt (PenVK) at the focal point are discussed. The preparation of such a compound requires the use of systems with no donor atoms such as N or S in their framework, because their presence favours the rupture of the penicillin β-lactam ring. The antibacterial activity of the new dendron containing ammonium groups, at the periphery, and the PenV moiety, at the focal point, against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus strains was evaluated. These results were compared with those obtained for free PenVK, a related cationic dendron without a penicillin moiety at the focal point, and also compared with an equimolar mixture of this last dendron with free PenV. The data obtained indicate that, on one hand, the conjugation or interaction of PenV with cationic dendrons reduces its activity in comparison with free PenVK. On the other hand, the penicillin dendron is able to release the antibiotic in the presence of esterease, due to the breaking of the ester bond in this derivative.

Dendrimers as a promising tool in ocular therapeutics: Latest advances and perspectives

Dendrimers have called the attention of scientists in the area of drug and gene delivery over the last two decades for their versatility, complexity and multibranching properties. Some strategies for optimizing drug pharmacokinetics and site-specific targeting using dendrimers have been proposed. Among them, those related to treating and managing ocular diseases are of special interest. Ocular therapies suffer from significant disadvantages, including frequent administration, poor penetration and/or rapid elimination. This review provides an overview of the recent and promising progress in the dendrimers field, focusing on both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye ocular targets, the use of dendrimers as a strategy for overcoming obstacles to the traditional treatment of ocular diseases and an outlook on future directions. Finally, a first approach to ocular safety with dendrimers is intended that accounts for the state-of-the-art science to date.

Synthesis, structure and molecular modelling of anionic carbosilane dendrimers

Anionic carbosilane dendrimers of generations 1-3 have been synthesized containing carboxylate G(n)X(C(2)H(4)CO(2)Na)(m) and sulfonate G(n)X(C(2)H(4)SO(3)Na)(m) peripheral groups and derived from two different cores, 1,3,5-(HO)(3)C(6)H(3) (X = O(3)) and Si(C(3)H(5))(4) (X = Si). The peripheral anionic groups make these dendrimers water soluble, despite their highly hydrophobic framework. These dendrimers present a net negative charge in water, which was influenced by the pH of the medium. This characteristic was studied by pH titration. Also molecular modeling calculations have been performed to study differences in an aqueous medium between carboxylate and sulfonate dendrimers of different cores. The results obtained were also compared with those obtained from DOSY NMR experiments and zeta-potential measurements.