Dendrimer nanoplatforms for oral drug delivery applications

BackgroundDendrimers are highly branched tree-like nanostructures with inner cavities and surface versatility. Notably, multiple studies point to their potential in oral drug delivery, yet not much attention has been given compared to other nanocarriers.Area coveredThis review provides an overview of dendrimer applications for oral drug delivery, highlighting important findings from previous and up-to-date research. We also discuss the essential aspects for understanding and further designing dendrimer-based formulations, including their unique properties, proposed mechanisms, surface engineering, biocompatibility, and biodistribution, all specifically in the context of oral applications. Our goal is to offer readers new insights into this topic and facilitate further exploration of these promising applications.Expert opinionDendrimers have demonstrated high potential for oral drug delivery. However, to maximize their utility in this field, they should clearly outperform other competitive nanocarriers in effectiveness and industrial viability. The unique properties of dendrimers, successfully utilized in various biomedical applications, need to be fully leveraged in oral drug delivery, with an additional focus on targeting indications relevant to oral use. We anticipate that future studies will present a strong opportunity to capitalize on the distinctive advantages of dendrimers in oral drug delivery applications.