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Review
. 2017 Nov 20;9(4):53.
doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics9040053.

An Overview of Chitosan Nanoparticles and Its Application in Non-Parenteral Drug Delivery

Munawar A Mohammed  1 , Jaweria T M Syeda  2 , Kishor M Wasan  3 , Ellen K Wasan  4
Affiliations
Review

An Overview of Chitosan Nanoparticles and Its Application in Non-Parenteral Drug Delivery

Munawar A Mohammed et al. Pharmaceutics. .

Abstract

The focus of this review is to provide an overview of the chitosan based nanoparticles for various non-parenteral applications and also to put a spotlight on current research including sustained release and mucoadhesive chitosan dosage forms. Chitosan is a biodegradable, biocompatible polymer regarded as safe for human dietary use and approved for wound dressing applications. Chitosan has been used as a carrier in polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery through various routes of administration. Chitosan has chemical functional groups that can be modified to achieve specific goals, making it a polymer with a tremendous range of potential applications. Nanoparticles (NP) prepared with chitosan and chitosan derivatives typically possess a positive surface charge and mucoadhesive properties such that can adhere to mucus membranes and release the drug payload in a sustained release manner. Chitosan-based NP have various applications in non-parenteral drug delivery for the treatment of cancer, gastrointestinal diseases, pulmonary diseases, drug delivery to the brain and ocular infections which will be exemplified in this review. Chitosan shows low toxicity both in vitro and some in vivo models. This review explores recent research on chitosan based NP for non-parenteral drug delivery, chitosan properties, modification, toxicity, pharmacokinetics and preclinical studies.

Keywords: chitosan; mucoadhesive; oral drug delivery; polymeric nanoparticles; sustained release.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Deacetylation of chitin to chitosan.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic illustration of the presumed mechanism of transcellular and paracellular transport of chitosan NP across the epithelium.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Diagram representing the possible mechanisms of drug release by diffusion, swelling and erosion of polymer (chitosan) matrix.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Schematic representation of chitosan loaded nanoparticles (CS-NP) structure and interaction with the mucus layer. From left to right: CS-NP upon reaching the mucosal layer bind to the negatively charged mucus by virtue of electrostatic attraction and release the drug over time.
Figure 5
Figure 5
In vivo efficiency of drug loaded chitosan NPs in enhancing the drug absorption via the intestinal epithelium thereby increasing the drug available for absorption.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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