Chitosan as a Natural Copolymer with Unique Properties for the Development of Hydrogels

Abstract

Hydrogel-based polymers are represented by those hydrophilic polymers having functional groups in their chain such as amine (NH2), hydroxyl [-OH], amide (-CONH-, -CONH2), and carboxyl [COOH]. These hydrophilic groups raise their potential to absorb fluids or aqueous solution more than their weights. This physicochemical mechanism leads to increased hydrogel expansion and occupation of larger volume, the process which shows in swelling behavior. With these unique properties, their use for biomedical application has been potentially raised owing also to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. Chitosan as a natural copolymer, presents a subject for hydrogel structures and function. This review aimed to study the structure as well as the function of chitosan and its hydrogel properties.

Recent Biomedical Approaches for Chitosan Based Materials as Drug Delivery Nanocarriers

“…Unfortunately, NGs have some disadvantages that avoid their use in therapy: modest drug entrapment and low uptake, poor stability before achieving the target, biodegradability after achieving the target [ 57 ]. Positive charge of the CS is important for the transcellular transport of the drug, but the solubility of CS in the acid medium often limits its use for oral delivery, resulting in burst release of the drug at the stomach [ 91 ]. The insoluble CS derivatives are not very effective for improving the release of the embedded drugs.…”

“…The insoluble CS derivatives are not very effective for improving the release of the embedded drugs. Furthermore, the use of the chemical cross-linker agents can affect the properties of the NGs in terms of low mechanical resistance, reduced control over hydrogel pore size and of toxicity of cross-linker [ 91 , 92 ].…”

<p>Oral Nano Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Available Administration Strategy for Antidiabetic Phytocompounds</p>

“…Chitosan, a kind of polycationic polysaccharide, is produced by alkaline deacetylation of chitin 120 which is derived from the cell walls of fungi, the cuticle of insects, and the exoskeleton of crustaceans. 121 , 122 By far, chitosan is the most extensively used for the delivery of antidiabetic phytocompounds due to its easy surface modification, property to blend with multitudinous polymers, non-immunogenicity as well as non-toxicity, and significant compatibility with cells and tissues. 123 A bottom-up ionic gelation method was applied to prepare chitosan NPs encapsulating ferulic acid 72 or curcumin.…”

The Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan-Based Hydrogels Cross-Linked by Glyoxal

“…The release of active compounds directly to the infected site provides the highest effectiveness of treatment [ 1 ]. Chitosan is one of the best-known polysaccharides that may be used to obtain biocompatible materials [ 2 ]. It may be isolated from food industry by-products as shells of crustaceans, which provides chitosan to be easily accessible.…”