Chitosan: A Potential Biopolymer in Drug Delivery and Biomedical Applications

Chitosan, a biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharide derived from chitin, has surfaced as a material of promise for drug delivery and biomedical applications. Different chitin and chitosan extraction techniques can produce materials with unique properties, which can be further modified to enhance their bioactivities. Chitosan-based drug delivery systems have been developed for various routes of administration, including oral, ophthalmic, transdermal, nasal, and vaginal, allowing for targeted and sustained release of drugs. Additionally, chitosan has been used in numerous biomedical applications, such as bone regeneration, cartilage tissue regeneration, cardiac tissue regeneration, corneal regeneration, periodontal tissue regeneration, and wound healing. Moreover, chitosan has also been utilized in gene delivery, bioimaging, vaccination, and cosmeceutical applications. Modified chitosan derivatives have been developed to improve their biocompatibility and enhance their properties, resulting in innovative materials with promising potentials in various biomedical applications. This article summarizes the recent findings on chitosan and its application in drug delivery and biomedical science.

Automated summary

Chitosan, derived from chitin, is a promising material for drug delivery and biomedical applications. Different extraction techniques can produce chitosan with unique properties, which can be further modified to enhance bioactivities. Chitosan-based drug delivery systems have been developed for various administration routes, allowing for targeted and sustained release of drugs. It has also been used in biomedical applications such as tissue regeneration and gene delivery. Modified chitosan derivatives offer innovative materials with potential in biomedical applications. This article summarizes recent findings on chitosan and its applications in drug delivery and biomedical science.