Chitosan has emerged as a biodegradable, nontoxic polymer with multiple beneficial applications in the agricultural and biomedical sectors. As nanotechnology has evolved as a promising field, researchers have incorporated chitosan-based nanomaterials in a variety of products to enhance their efficacy and biocompatibility. Moreover, due to its inherent antimicrobial and chelating properties, and the availability of modifiable functional groups, chitosan nanoparticles were also directly used in a variety of applications. In this review, the use of chitosan-based nanomaterials in agricultural and biomedical fields related to the management of abiotic stress in plants, water availability for crops, controlling foodborne pathogens, and cancer photothermal therapy is discussed, with some insights into the possible mechanisms of action. Additionally, the toxicity arising from the accumulation of these nanomaterials in biological systems and future research avenues that had gained limited attention from the scientific community are discussed here. Overall, chitosan-based nanomaterials show promising characteristics for sustainable agricultural practices and effective healthcare in an eco-friendly manner.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nano10101903 | DOI Listing |
Int J Nanomedicine
January 2025
Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, 27100, Italy.
Purpose: The main purpose of the study was the formulation development of nanogels (NHs) composed of chondroitin sulfate (CS) and low molecular weight chitosan (lCH), loaded with a naringenin-β-cyclodextrin complex (NAR/β-CD), as a potential treatment for early-stage diabetic retinopathy.
Methods: Different formulations of NHs were prepared by varying polymer concentration, lCH ratio, and pH and, then, characterized for particle size, zeta potential, particle concentration (particles/mL) and morphology. Cytotoxicity and internalization were assessed in vitro using Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC).
Molecules
January 2025
Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, Campus Sescelades, 43007 Tarragona, Spain.
pH sensitivity of chitosan allows for precise phase transitions in acidic environments, controlling swelling and shrinking, making chitosan suitable for drug delivery systems. pH transitions are modulated by the presence of cross-linkers by the functionalization of the chitosan chain. This review relays a summary of chitosan functionalization and tailoring to optimize drug release.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCarbohydr Polym
March 2025
Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao 266000, PR China.
Hydroxybutyl chitosan (HBC), a derivative of chitosan, exhibits biocompatibility and temperature-sensitive properties, rendering it utilized in tissue engineering, and biomedical science. Currently, HBC is mainly prepared based on heterogeneous and homogeneous reactions. However, the impact of reactions on structure of derivatives and their mechanisms for self-assembly remains to be elucidated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Industrial Biotechnology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan.
This study investigates a nanoparticle-based doxycycline (DOX) delivery system targeting cervical cancer cells via the CD44 receptor. Molecular docking revealed a strong binding affinity between hyaluronic acid (HA) and CD44 (binding energy: -7.2 kJ/mol).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCarbohydr Polym
March 2025
College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, PR China. Electronic address:
In this work we present a near-infrared (NIR)-operated nanoswitch based on chitosan nanoparticles (EpCAM-CS-co-PNVCL@IR780/IMQ NPs) that induces cascade immunogenic tumor ferroptosis via cytokine storm. The formulation was prepared by loading a photosensitiser (IR780) and an immunotherapeutic drug (imiquimod; IMQ) into temperature- and pH-responsive chitosan-based NPs functionalized with tumor-targeting aptamers. The EpCAM aptamer can chaperone the NPs selectively into cancer cells, and allow them to enter the cell nucleus.
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