Recent Developments in Antimicrobial and Antiviral Agents Based on Natural/Synthetic Polymers and Dendrimers: Design and Therapeutic Applications

This review article explores the recent innovations in the field of antimicrobial and antiviral macromolecules. With the rising challenge of antibiotic resistance, as well as the overuse of antibiotics, there is a growing demand for efficient solutions to combat microbial and viral infections. The development of new effective antimicrobial and antiviral agents is highlighted. This review is designed to give a comprehensive view of the literature focusing on a few examples of combating microbial and viral infections in each section. A brief description of naturally occurring organic-based materials that exhibit antimicrobial and/or antiviral activities is presented, focusing on polysaccharides, peptides, and proteins. Synthetic organic-based materials are divided into subsections including polymers, dendrimers, and nanomaterials. The synthesis and applications of inorganic materials such as polyphosphazenes and polysiloxanes, as well as tin-, germanium- and gallium-based materials are emphasized in this review. Organometallic macromolecules are also described, and their antimicrobial and antiviral activities are examined. Overall, this article provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the design of antimicrobial and antiviral macromolecules, offering valuable insights into their potential applications in biomedical research and combating drug-resistant microorganisms and viruses.