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The Chitosan Biomaterials: Advances and Challenges

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 18085

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Prof. Dr. Lacramioara Popa

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Physical and Colloidal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania
Interests: quality by design (QbD); analytical quality by design (AQbD); drug systems formulation (chitosan); surfaces’ characteristics (wettability/hidrophilicity/hidrophobicity—pharmaceutical powders)
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Prof. Dr. Mihaela Violeta Ghica

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Physical and Colloidal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania
Interests: biomaterials (collagen drug delivery systems); rheology; cosmeceuticals; drug systems formulation and technological processes optimization; response surface methodology; Taguchi design
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Prof. Dr. Cristina Elena Dinu-Pirvu

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Physical and Colloidal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania
Interests: targeted drug delivery; nanoparticulate systems; solubility enhancement techniques; biotechnology; topical/transdermal drug delivery
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Dear Colleagues,

Chitosan is a versatile biopolymer, with applications in drug delivery systems, vaccine formulations, wound healing, tissue regeneration, cosmetics, dentistry, food packing, agriculture, among others. The basic properties of chitosan, which make it the optimal material for use, are as follows: biocompatibility, biodegradability, mucoadhesion, and enhancement of permeability. It also has its own actions, such as antibacterial, antifungal, hemostatic, and antioxidant, which provide it with an advantage for use in various fields. Recent research has shown that chitosan also has immunostimulatory, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory actions.

Aside from its numerous actions and effects, chitosan has amino and hydroxyl functional groups in its structure, which lead to chitosan derivatives, with improved physico-chemical properties and effects, being obtained, and to the establishment of interactions with a variety of molecules used to develop biomaterials.

Through the Special Issue “Chitosan Biomaterials: Advances and Challenges”, we aim to gather original research and review articles that include the development, preparation, actions and evaluation of various biomaterials, based on chitosan and its derivatives, as well as their applications.

Prof. Dr. Lacramioara Popa
Prof. Dr. Mihaela Violeta Ghica
Prof. Dr. Cristina Elena Dinu-Pirvu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Chitosan
Chitosan biomaterials
Chitosan derivatives
drug delivery
wound healing
tissue regeneration
dentistry
smart biomaterials

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 208 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Chitosan Biomaterials: Advances and Challenges

by Lăcrămioara Popa, Mihaela Violeta Ghica and Cristina-Elena Dinu-Pîrvu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(22), 16150; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216150 - 10 Nov 2023

Viewed by 840

Abstract

The purpose of this Special Issue was to review research focusing on the development of formulations based on chitosan or its derivatives together with other molecules, producing biomaterials with improved physicochemical properties and effects [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Chitosan Biomaterials: Advances and Challenges)

Research

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31 pages, 5976 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study of Elastin, Hydrolyzed Collagen and Collagen-like Products in a Tri-Layered Chitosan Membrane to Test Anti-Aging Skin Properties

by Rocío Guerle-Cavero and Albert Balfagón-Costa

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(13), 11016; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241311016 - 03 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2150

Abstract

The use of animal testing in the cosmetic industry is already prohibited in more than 40 countries, including those of the EU. The pressure for it to be banned worldwide in the future is increasing, so the need for animal alternatives is of great interest today. In addition, using animals and humans in scientific research is ethically reprehensible. This study aimed to prove some of the anti-aging properties of elastin (EL), hydrolyzed collagen (HC), and two vegan collagen-like products (Veg Col) in a tri-layered chitosan membrane that was ionically crosslinked with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). In the first approach, as a way of representing different layers of a biological system, such as the epidermis and the two dermis sublayers, EL, HC, or Veg Col were independently introduced into the two inner layers (2L_(i+b)). Their effects were compared with those of their introduction into three layers (3L). Different experiments were performed on the membrane to test its elasticity, hydration, moisture retention, and pore reduction at different concentrations of EL, HC, and Veg Col, and the results were normalized vs. a blank membrane. This new alternative to animal or human testing can be suitable for proving certain efficacy claims for active ingredients or products in the pharmaceutical, nutritional, and cosmetic fields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Chitosan Biomaterials: Advances and Challenges)

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19 pages, 3593 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chitosan Membranes Containing Plant Extracts: Preparation, Characterization and Antimicrobial Properties

by Luiza Madalina Gradinaru, Mihaela Barbalata-Mandru, Alin Alexandru Enache, Cristina Mihaela Rimbu, Georgiana Ileana Badea and Magdalena Aflori

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(10), 8673; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24108673 - 12 May 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1844

Abstract

The main strategy of this study was to combine the traditional perspective of using medicinal extracts with polymeric scaffolds manufactured by an engineering approach to fabricate a potential dressing product with antimicrobial properties. Thus, chitosan-based membranes containing S. officinalis and H. perforatum extracts were developed and their suitability as novel dressing materials was investigated. The morphology of the chitosan-based films was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the chemical structure characterization was performed via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The addition of the plant extracts increased the sorption capacity of the studied fluids, mainly at the membrane with S. officinalis extract. The membranes with 4% chitosan embedded with both plant extracts maintained their integrity after being immersed for 14 days in incubation media, especially in PBS. The antibacterial activities were determined by the modified Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method for Gram-positive (S. aureus ATCC 25923, MRSA ATCC 43300) and Gram-negative (E. coli ATCC 25922, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853) microorganisms. The antibacterial property was enhanced by incorporating the plant extracts into chitosan films. The outcome of the study reveals that the obtained chitosan-based membranes are promising candidates to be used as a wound dressing due to their good physico-chemical and antimicrobial properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Chitosan Biomaterials: Advances and Challenges)

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18 pages, 2676 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hot Melt Extrusion as an Effective Process in the Development of Mucoadhesive Tablets Containing Scutellariae baicalensis radix Extract and Chitosan Dedicated to the Treatment of Oral Infections

by Magdalena Paczkowska-Walendowska, Andrzej Miklaszewski, Daria Szymanowska, Krystyna Skalicka-Woźniak and Judyta Cielecka-Piontek

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(6), 5834; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065834 - 19 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2091

Abstract

Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) technology was developed to obtain blends containing lyophilized Scutellariae baicalensis root extract and chitosan in order to improve the rheological properties of the obtained blends, including tableting and compressibility properties. (Hydroxypropyl)methyl cellulose (HPMC) in 3 different ratios was used as amorphous matrix formers. The systems were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy with Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR), and in vitro release, permeability, and microbiological activity studies. Then, the extrudates were used to prepare tablets in order to give them the appropriate pharmaceutical form. HPMC-based systems released baicalin more slowly, resulting in delayed peaks in the acceptor fluid. This behavior can be explained by the fact that HPMC swells significantly, and the dissolved substance must have diffused through the polymer network before being released. The best tabletability properties are provided by the formulation containing the extrudate with lyophilized extract HPMC 50:50 w/w. These tablets offer a valuable baicalin release profile while maintaining good mucoadhesive properties that condition the tablet’s retention in the application site and the effectiveness of therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Chitosan Biomaterials: Advances and Challenges)

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19 pages, 9654 KiB

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Chitosan Composites with Bacterial Cellulose Nanofibers Doped with Nanosized Cerium Oxide: Characterization and Cytocompatibility Evaluation

by Valentina A. Petrova, Iosif V. Gofman, Natallia V. Dubashynskaya, Alexey S. Golovkin, Alexander I. Mishanin, Elena M. Ivan’kova, Dmitry P. Romanov, Albert K. Khripunov, Elena N. Vlasova, Alexandra V. Migunova, Alexander E. Baranchikov, Vladimir K. Ivanov, Alexander V. Yakimansky and Yury A. Skorik

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(6), 5415; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065415 - 12 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1369

Abstract

In this work, new composite films were prepared by incorporating the disintegrated bacterial cellulose (BCd) nanofibers and cerium oxide nanoparticles into chitosan (CS) matrices. The influence of the amount of nanofillers on the structure and properties of the polymer composites and the specific features of the intermolecular interactions in the materials were determined. An increase in film stiffness was observed as a result of reinforcing the CS matrix with BCd nanofibers: the Young’s modulus increased from 4.55 to 6.3 GPa with the introduction of 5% BCd. A further increase in Young’s modulus of 6.7 GPa and a significant increase in film strength (22% increase in yield stress compared to the CS film) were observed when the BCd concentration was increased to 20%. The amount of nanosized ceria affected the structure of the composite, followed by a change in the hydrophilic properties and texture of the composite films. Increasing the amount of nanoceria to 8% significantly improved the biocompatibility of the films and their adhesion to the culture of mesenchymal stem cells. The obtained nanocomposite films combine a number of favorable properties (good mechanical strength in dry and swollen states, improved biocompatibility in relation to the culture of mesenchymal stem cells), which allows us to recommend them for use as a matrix material for the culture of mesenchymal stem cells and wound dressings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Chitosan Biomaterials: Advances and Challenges)

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19 pages, 4144 KiB

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Chitosan Composites Containing Boron-Dipyrromethene Derivatives for Biomedical Applications

by Aleksander Smolarkiewicz-Wyczachowski, Halina Kaczmarek, Jaroslaw Piskorz, Pawel Nowak and Marta Ziegler-Borowska

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(2), 1770; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24021770 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1682

Abstract

The work is devoted to preparing and characterizing the properties of photosensitive composites, based on chitosan proposed for photodynamic therapy. Chitosan films with a 5% addition of two BODIPY dyes were prepared by solution casting. These dyes are dipyrromethene boron derivatives with N-alkyl phthalimide substituent, differing in the presence of iodine atoms in positions 2 and 6 of the BODIPY core. The spectral properties of the obtained materials have been studied by infrared and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence, both in solutions and in a solid state. Surface properties were investigated using the contact angle measurement. The morphology of the sample has been characterized by Scanning Electron and Atomic Force Microscopy. Particular attention was paid to studying the protein absorption and kinetics of the dye release from the chitosan. Adding BODIPY to the chitosan matrix leads to a slight increase in hydrophilicity, higher structure heterogeneity, and roughness, than pure chitosan. The presence of iodine atoms in the BODIPY structure caused the bathochromic effect, but the emission quantum yield decreased in the composites. It has been found that BODIPY-doped chitosan interacts better with human serum albumin and acidic α-glycoprotein than unmodified chitosan. The release rate of dyes from films immersed in methanol depends on the iodine present in the structure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Chitosan Biomaterials: Advances and Challenges)

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14 pages, 1182 KiB

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Evaluation of Chitosans as Coagulants—Flocculants to Improve Sand Filtration for Drinking Water Treatment

by Eleanor B. Holmes, Hemali H. Oza, Emily S. Bailey and Mark D. Sobsey

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(2), 1295; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24021295 - 09 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1918

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that two billion people worldwide lack access to safely managed water sources, including 1.2 billion who already have access to improved water sources. In many countries, household point-of-use (POU) water-treatment options are used to remove or deactivate microorganisms in water, but not all POU technologies meet WHO performance requirements to achieve safe drinking water. To improve the effectiveness of POU technologies, the use of multiple treatment barriers should be used as a way to increase overall treatment performance. The focus of this research is to evaluate multiple barrier treatment using chitosan, an organic coagulant–flocculant, to improve microbial and turbidity reductions in combination with sand filtration. Bench-scale intermittently operated sand filters with 16 cm layers of sands of two different grain sizes representing slow and rapid sand filters were dosed daily over 57 days with microbially spiked surface water volumes corresponding to household use. E. coli bacteria and MS2 coliphage virus reductions were quantified biweekly (N = 17) using culture methods. Bacteria and virus removals were significantly improved over sand filtration without chitosan pretreatment (Wilcoxon Rank-Sum, p < 0.05). When water was pretreated at an optimal chitosan dose of 10 mg/L followed by sand filtration, log₁₀ reductions in bacteria and viruses met the two-star WHO performance level of effectiveness. Microbial and turbidity reductions generally improved over the filter operating period but showed no trends with filtration rates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Chitosan Biomaterials: Advances and Challenges)

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18 pages, 3244 KiB

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Development of Inhalable Chitosan-Coated Oxymatrine Liposomes to Alleviate RSV-Infected Mice

by Jianqing Peng, Qin Wang, Mingyang Guo, Chunyuan Liu, Xuesheng Chen, Ling Tao, Ke Zhang and Xiangchun Shen

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(24), 15909; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232415909 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1911

Abstract

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is the most important cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection in infants, neonates, and young children, even leading to hyperinflation and atelectasis. Oxymatrine (OMT), originating from natural herbs, possessed potential antivirus activity against influenza A virus, Coxsackie B3 virus, and RSV, whereas the absence of an in vivo study indicated the difficulties in overcoming the physiological obstacles. Since RSV basically replicated in lung tissue, in this study, we fabricated and characterized a chitosan (CS)-coated liposome with OMT loaded for the treatment of lethal RSV infection via inhalation. The results uncovered that OMT, as a hydrophilic drug, was liable to diffuse in the mucus layer and penetrate through the gas–blood barrier to enter systemic circulation quickly, which might restrict its inhibitory effect on RSV replication. The CS-coated liposome enhanced the distribution and retention of OMT in lung tissue without restriction from mucus, which contributed to the improved alleviative effect of OMT on lethal RSV-infected mice. Overall, this study provides a novel inhalation therapy for RSV infection, and the CS-coated liposome might be a potential inhalable nanocarrier for hydrophilic drugs to prevent pulmonary infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Chitosan Biomaterials: Advances and Challenges)

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13 pages, 1547 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Neutralization on the Physicochemical, Mechanical, and Biological Properties of Ammonium-Hydroxide-Crosslinked Chitosan Scaffolds

by Paola Hassibe Azueta-Aguayo, Martha Gabriela Chuc-Gamboa, Fernando Javier Aguilar-Pérez, Fernando Javier Aguilar-Ayala, Beatriz A. Rodas-Junco, Rossana Faride Vargas-Coronado and Juan Valerio Cauich-Rodríguez

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(23), 14822; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232314822 - 26 Nov 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1446

Abstract

It has been reported that chitosan scaffolds, due to their physicochemical properties, stimulate cell proliferation in different tissues of the human body. This study aimed to determine the physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties of chitosan scaffolds crosslinked with ammonium hydroxide, with different pH values, to better understand cell behavior depending on the pH of the biomaterial. Scaffolds were either neutralized with sodium hydroxide solution, washed with distilled water until reaching a neutral pH, or kept at alkaline pH. Physicochemical characterization included scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental composition (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and mechanical testing. In vitro cytotoxicity was assessed via dental-pulp stem cells’ (DPSCs’) biocompatibility. The results revealed that the neutralized scaffolds exhibited better cell proliferation and morphology. It was concluded that the chitosan scaffolds’ high pH (due to residual ammonium hydroxide) decreases DPSCs’ cell viability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Chitosan Biomaterials: Advances and Challenges)

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18 pages, 3301 KiB

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Optimization of Multilayer Films Composed of Chitosan and Low-Methoxy Amidated Pectin as Multifunctional Biomaterials for Drug Delivery

by Joanna Potaś, Agnieszka Zofia Wilczewska, Paweł Misiak, Anna Basa and Katarzyna Winnicka

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(15), 8092; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23158092 - 22 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1532

Abstract

Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) based on polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) structures are recognized as interesting materials for manufacturing functionalized coatings or drug delivery platforms. Difficulties in homogeneous PEC system development generated the idea of chitosan (CS)/low-methoxy amidated pectin (LM PC) multilayer film optimization with regard to the selected variables: the polymer ratio, PC type, and order of polymer mixing. Films were formulated by solvent casting method and then tested to characterize CS/LM PC PECs, using thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), turbidity, and zeta potential measurements. The internal structure of the films was visualized by using scanning electron microscopy. Analysis of the mechanical and swelling properties enabled us to select the most promising formulations with high uniformity and mechanical strength. Films with confirmed multilayer architecture were indicated as a promising material for the multifunctional systems development for buccal drug delivery. They were also characterized by improved thermal stability as compared to the single polymers and their physical mixtures, most probably as a result of the CS–LM PC interactions. This also might indicate the potential protective effect on the active substances being incorporated in the PEC-based films. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Chitosan Biomaterials: Advances and Challenges)

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