Chitosan as a coating material for nanoparticles intended for biomedical applications

This review provides a comprehensive and updated overview of the state of the art related to the biomedical applications of nanoparticles coated with chitosan. Discussions were based on selected literature in the field. Here, we discussed nanoparticles constituted by polymer, lipid and metal materials, which have been coated with chitosan. In addition, the methodological aspects of the coating process, which is performed by the addition of a chitosan solution into previously prepared nanoparticles or during nanoparticle formation, was reviewed, as well as the techniques employed to confirm an efficient coating process, such as determinations of particle size and zeta potential. Special attention is given to physicochemical and biological advantages brought by the chitosan-coating, such as increase in physicochemical stability, controlled release, improvement of tissue/cells interaction, and increase in the bioavailability of drugs (or active substances) and drug efficacy. We also pointed out safety concerns regarding chitosan-coated nanoparticles based on the results presented so far in the literature.