argininocalix[4]arenes 1 and 2 suggested that the arginine residues of the amphiphilic
calixarene were essential for efficient transfection, which may increase the ability of
the DNA-calixarene complexes to cross the cell membrane The most efficient transfection efficiency of argininocalix[4]arene 1 is less cytotoxic and comparable to
Lipofectamine. In the current work of gene transfection using calixarene,
argininocalix[4]arene 1 may be the best transfection agent.
Klimchenko et al. developed a nucleic acid template consisting of a polycationic
amphiphilic calixarene, initially a tiny calixarene micelle (about 6 nm in diameter)
that forms complexes with DNA by electrostatic interaction. This fractionation
process would be advantageous for cationic calixarenes modified by relatively
long lipophilic chains (Fig. 13) [60, 61].
8.8
Calixarenes as Drug Carriers
The use of supramolecular concepts to design drug delivery systems has attracted
widespread attention from scientists. Significantly, calixarenes and their watersoluble calixarene derivatives have become an important class of supramolecular
Fig. 13 Schematic representation of DNA complex with micelles composed of cationic amphiphilic calixarenes [60]. (Reproduced from Ref. [60] with permission from Wiley-VCH)
8 Supramolecular Medicine of Diverse Calixarene Derivatives
219
calixarene were essential for efficient transfection, which may increase the ability of
the DNA-calixarene complexes to cross the cell membrane The most efficient transfection efficiency of argininocalix[4]arene 1 is less cytotoxic and comparable to
Lipofectamine. In the current work of gene transfection using calixarene,
argininocalix[4]arene 1 may be the best transfection agent.
Klimchenko et al. developed a nucleic acid template consisting of a polycationic
amphiphilic calixarene, initially a tiny calixarene micelle (about 6 nm in diameter)
that forms complexes with DNA by electrostatic interaction. This fractionation
process would be advantageous for cationic calixarenes modified by relatively
long lipophilic chains (Fig. 13) [60, 61].
8.8
Calixarenes as Drug Carriers
The use of supramolecular concepts to design drug delivery systems has attracted
widespread attention from scientists. Significantly, calixarenes and their watersoluble calixarene derivatives have become an important class of supramolecular
Fig. 13 Schematic representation of DNA complex with micelles composed of cationic amphiphilic calixarenes [60]. (Reproduced from Ref. [60] with permission from Wiley-VCH)
8 Supramolecular Medicine of Diverse Calixarene Derivatives
219