Chitosan as a potential biomaterial for the management of oral mucositis, a common complication of cancer treatment

Oral mucositis is a serious issue in patients receiving oncological therapies. Mucosal protectants considered to be one of the preferred choices used in the management of mucositis. However, the protective efficacy of currently available mucosal protectants has been significantly compromised due to poor retention, lack of lubrication, poor biodegradability, and inability to manage secondary complications. Chitosan is a promising material for mucosal applications due to its beneficial biomedical properties. Chitosan is also anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and capable of scavenging free radicals, makes it a good candidate for the treatment of oral mucositis. Additionally, chitosan's amino polysaccharide skeleton permits a number of chemical alterations with better bioactive performance. This article provides a summary of key biological properties of chitosan and its derivatives that are useful for treating oral mucositis. Current literature evidence shows that Chitosan has superior mucosal protective properties when utilised alone or as delivery systems for co-encapsulated drugs.

Automated summary

Oral mucositis is a serious problem for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Currently available mucosal protectants have poor efficacy due to retention issues, lack of lubrication, biodegradability problems, and inability to manage secondary complications. Chitosan, with its beneficial biomedical properties, including anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial abilities, as well as its capability to scavenge free radicals, is a promising material for treating oral mucositis. This article summarizes the key biological properties of chitosan and its derivatives for the treatment of oral mucositis, showing that chitosan has superior mucosal protective properties when used alone or as a drug delivery system.