The invention relates to a peptide dendrimer described by a general formula X—(B2—[Y2]S-D1)2-B1—Z, wherein X is (D2)4 or (D3)8-(B3—[Y3]r-D2)4 or a higher analog, Y is a linkage moiety, Z is a central moiety; each B denotes a diaminoalkylcarboxylic acid moiety; each D is a hydrophobic or cationic amino acid, or a di- or tripeptide composed of hydrophobic and cationic amino acids, for use as a pharmaceutical.