Chitosan: A versatile biopolymer in pharmaceutical and drug delivery applications

Abstract

Chitosan is one of the leading natural biomaterial after cellulose. In biomolecules delivery, it stands out for its superior oxygen permeation ability and mucoadhesive capacity. Due to their improved structural and functional properties as well as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and nontoxicity, chitosan and its nanoparticles are currently grasping the interest of researchers. In this work, a critical review is performed covering its conventional and novel applications, specially focused on pharmaceutical area, providing a clear picture of the current state of art to serve as a basis to direct future research in this field.