Chitosan Microspheres for the Delivery of Chemotherapeutic Agents: Paclitaxel as a Model

Abstract

Chitosan has unique physicochemical and biological features that suggest it as a good candidate for the development of safe and effective drug delivery systems. Linking drug molecules with chitosan through a functional spacer enables formulation of prodrugs that have appropriate pharmacological activities at specific desired sites. The development of formulations of targeted delivery systems for the chemotherapeutic agents, especially those with unfavorable pharmacokinetic features, like paclitaxel (PTX), can potentially alleviate the systemic cytotoxicity as well as directing therapy to the specific lesions. The main aim of this literature review is to critically evaluate the use of chitosan microspheres as a drug delivery system to enhance PTX distribution and efficacy in specific targeted sites.

Chitosan Nanoparticles-Insight into Properties, Functionalization and Applications in Drug Delivery and Theranostics

“…The drug molecules are linked to chitosan NPs along with a functional spacer that enables the nanocarrier system to show effective pharmacological activity at desired sites thereby reducing side effects [ 102 ]. The spacers are used to protect healthy organs from radiation exposure during nanoparticle therapy i.e., it preserves enough distance between the tumor and healthy tissue and is used for malignant tumors.…”

Nano-Vesicles of Salbutamol Sulphate in Metered Dose Inhalers: Formulation, Characterization and in Vitro Evaluation

“…The combination of the large dispersion area of both aerosolized drug delivery systems and lungs synergistically facilitate the rapid uptake of the drug into systemic circulation offering a controlled method to deliver a known therapeutic amount with each dose [4][5]. Niosome is one of the most promising nano-carriers that can be used in targeted drug delivery systems in a controlled manner [6] showing bioavailability enhancement, continuous therapeutic effect over a longer period of time, preventing the excess drug from pouring into the systemic circulation, protecting drugs from degradation in vivo and therefore, results in reduced side-effects [7][8].…”