Biological activities of chitosan

The pharmacological activities of chitosan, their probable mode of action, factors influencing these activities and other such details are presented below. 

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Kim, S. K. and Rajapakse, N. (2005). Enzymatic production and biological activities of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) A review. Carbohydr. Polym. 62, 357-368. 

Muzzarelli R et al (1988) Biological activity of chitosan ultrastructural study. Biomaterials 9(3) 247-252... 

Muzzarelli, R., Baladasarre, V., Conti, R, Ferrara, P., Biagini, G., Gazzanelli, G. and Vasi, V., Biological activity of chitosan ultrastructural study. Biomaterials, 9, 247, 1988. 

In another study, dendritic amidoamine side chains of different generations were covalently attached to the polysaccharide chitosan in an attempt to combine the biological activity of chitosan in gene delivery. 

The cationic character of chitosan in acidic medium is unique. It is the only pseudonatural cationic existing polymer. The film-forming property and biological activity of chitosan also open new applications. In Table 4.4, the main applications of chitosan as biomaterials are recalled. In particular, the drug-delivery applications are available by oral, nasal, parenteral and/or transdermal administration. 

Li, X., Tsushima, Y, Moiimoto, M. et al. 2000. Biological activity of chitosan-sugar hybrids Specific interaction with lectin. Polym. Adv. Technol. 11 176-179. 

Different other reviews are now available covering the different applications in biomedical and pharmaceutical domains. [126-128] The main specific properties of chitosan are summarized in Table 3 the biological activity of chitosan also opens new applications. [2]... 

To improve the mechanical and biological properties of chitosan, natural macromolecules like gelatin have been extensively used due to their inherent advantages such as biocompatibility and biodegradability [2, 15]. Gelatin contains Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-like sequence that promotes cell adhesion and migration, and also forms a polyelectrolyte complex, that is the reason why it can improve the biological activity of chitosan [2]. 

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