An overview of chitosan and its application in infectious diseases

Drug Deliv Transl Res. 2021 Aug;11(4):1340-1351. doi: 10.1007/s13346-021-00913-w. Epub 2021 Jan 26.

Abstract

Infectious diseases, such as the coronavirus disease-19, SARS virus, Ebola virus, and AIDS, threaten the health of human beings globally. New viruses, drug-resistant bacteria, and fungi continue to challenge the human efficacious drug bank. Researchers have developed a variety of new antiviral and antibacterial drugs in response to the infectious disease crisis. Meanwhile, the development of functional materials has also improved therapeutic outcomes. As a natural material, chitosan possesses good biocompatibility, bioactivity, and biosafety. It has been proven that the cooperation between chitosan and traditional medicine greatly improves the ability of anti-infection. This review summarized the application and design considerations of chitosan-composed systems for the treatment of infectious diseases, looking forward to providing the idea of infectious disease therapy.

Keywords: Chitosan; Infectious disease; Nanoparticle; Vaccine vector; Wound dressing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / immunology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Anti-Infective Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / immunology
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Bandages / microbiology
  • Biocompatible Materials / administration & dosage*
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacokinetics
  • COVID-19 / immunology
  • COVID-19 / metabolism
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Chitosan / administration & dosage*
  • Chitosan / immunology
  • Chitosan / pharmacokinetics
  • Communicable Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Communicable Diseases / immunology
  • Communicable Diseases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Wound Healing / drug effects
  • Wound Healing / physiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Chitosan