Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S. A. S. Nagar,Mohali, Punjab-160 062, India, Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Polytechnic University, Via Ranieri 67, IT-60100 Ancona, Italy,Green Biotechnology Research Group, The Special Division for Human Life Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science andTechnology, 1-8-31 Midorigaoka, Ikeda, Osaka-563-8577, Japan, and Department of Medicinal Chemistry & Natural Products,The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, School of Pharmacy-Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem 91120, IsraelReceived March 2, 2004

Chitosan chemistry and pharmaceutical perspectives.

The ability of nanoparticles to manipulate the molecules and their structures has revolutionized the conventional drug delivery system. The chitosan nanoparticles, because of their biodegradability, biocompatibility, better stability, low toxicity, simple and mild preparation methods, offer a valuable tool to novel drug delivery systems in the present scenario. Besides ionotropic gelation method, other methods such as microemulsion method, emulsification solvent diffusion method, polyelectrolyte complex method, emulsification cross-linking method, complex coacervation method and solvent evaporation method are also in use. The chitosan nanoparticles have also been reported to have key applications in parentral drug delivery, per-oral administration of drugs, in non-viral gene delivery, in vaccine delivery, in ocular drug delivery, in electrodeposition, in brain targeting drug delivery, in stability improvement, in mucosal drug delivery in controlled drug delivery of drugs, in tissue engineering and in the effective delivery of insulin. The present review describes origin and properties of chitosan and its nanoparticles along with the different methods of its preparation and the various areas of novel drug delivery where it has got its application.

Chitosan Nanoparticles: A Promising System in Novel Drug Delivery

Chitosan nanoparticles have gained more attention as drug delivery carriers because of their better stability, low toxicity, simple and mild preparation method, and providing versatile routes of administration. Their sub-micron size not only suitable for parenteral application, but also applicable for mucosal routes of administration, i.e., oral, nasal, and ocular mucosa, which are non-invasive route. The application for mucosal delivery also facilitated by chitosan absorption enhancing effect. Furthermore, chitosan nanoparticles also showed to be a good adjuvant for vaccines. Therefore, the objectives of this review are to summarize the available preparation techniques involved chitosan nanoparticles, the application of explored chitosan nanoparticles, and the mechanism of cell entry.

S Toniwa

Papers

Preparation of alginate gel beads containing chitosan nicotinic acid salt and the functions.