Recent Advances of Chitosan Formulations in Biomedical Applications

Chitosan, a naturally abundant cationic polymer, is chemically composed of cellulose-based biopolymers derived by deacetylating chitin. It offers several attractive characteristics such as renewability, hydrophilicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity towards gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi, etc., because of which it is receiving immense attention as a biopolymer for a plethora of applications including drug delivery, protective coating materials, food packaging films, wastewater treatment, and so on. Additionally, its structure carries reactive functional groups that enable several reactions and electrochemical interactions at the biomolecular level and improves the chitosan's physicochemical properties and functionality. This review article highlights the extensive research about the properties, extraction techniques, and recent developments of chitosan-based composites for drug, gene, protein, and vaccine delivery applications. Its versatile applications in tissue engineering and wound healing are also discussed. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives for chitosan in biomedical applications are elucidated.

Automated summary

Chitosan, a naturally abundant cationic polymer, offers attractive characteristics such as renewability, hydrophilicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial activity. It has a wide range of applications in drug delivery, protective coatings, food packaging, and wastewater treatment. The structure of chitosan allows for various reactions and electrochemical interactions, improving its physicochemical properties. This review article discusses the extensive research on chitosan-based composites for drug, gene, protein, and vaccine delivery applications, as well as its applications in tissue engineering and wound healing. The challenges and future perspectives for chitosan in biomedical applications are also addressed.