Synthesis, Bioapplications, and Toxicity Evaluation of Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles

Abstract

The development of advanced nanomaterials and technologies is essential in biomedical engineering to improve the quality of life. Chitosan-based nanomaterials are on the forefront and attract wide interest due to their versatile physicochemical characteristics such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity, which play a promising role in biological applications. Chitosan and its derivatives are employed in several applications including pharmaceuticals and biomedical engineering. This article presents a comprehensive overview of recent advances in chitosan derivatives and nanoparticle synthesis, as well as emerging applications in medicine, tissue engineering, drug delivery, gene therapy, and cancer therapy. In addition to the applications, we critically review the main concerns and mitigation strategies related to chitosan bactericidal properties, toxicity/safety using tissue cultures and animal models, and also their potential environmental impact. At the end of this review, we also provide some of future directions and conclusions that are important for expanding the field of biomedical applications of the chitosan nanoparticles.

Mixed Amphiphilic Polymeric Nanoparticles of Chitosan, Poly(vinyl alcohol) and Poly(methyl methacrylate) for Intranasal Drug Delivery: A Preliminary In Vivo Study

“…CS has been extensively reported as a biocompatible polysaccharide, and it is approved in the food industry [ 41 ]. However, it may elicit cell toxicity in vitro due to a highly positively-charged surface [ 36 , 37 , 46 ]. Crosslinking of self-assembled CS-based nanoparticles was implemented to physically stabilize them and to partly neutralize the net positive surface charge and increase their cell compatibility [ 30 ].…”

Biocompatible chitosan-modified core-shell Fe3O4 nanocomposites for exigent removal of blood lactic acid

“…Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were biocompatible and have often be used as drug carriers and for imaging studies in vivo [34][35][36]. Moreover, chitosan has also been used as a biocompatible material for various biomedical applications [37]. Accordingly, Fe 3 O 4 @Chi NCs would be a safe lactic acid remover in the blood vessel at these concentrations tested.…”

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

“…Chitosan NPs are synthesized using the ‘bottom up’ method, ‘top down’ method or some combination of both techniques. The “bottom up’ methods include ionotropic gelation, microemulsion method, solvent evaporation, polyelectrolyte method and the ‘top down’ methods include milling, high pressure homogenization and ultrasonication [ 4 ].…”

“…The nonselective N , O -modified chitosan derivatives are synthesized using electrophilic reactants like alkyl halides, acids and isocyanides. Selective O -modified chitosan derivatives are obtained by using acids like H 2 SO 4 or MeSO 3 H, the acid protonates the amine group leaving the hydroxyl group free to undergo the reaction and N -modified derivatives are obtained by protecting the hydroxyl functional group [ 4 ]. Figure 2 depicts the synthesis of chitosan from chitin and the structures of some widely used functionalized chitosan derivatives [ 2 , 5 , 6 ].…”