Chitosan-Based Novel Drug Delivery Systems

4 Chitosan-Based Novel Drug Delivery Systems 

Nanoparticles, due to their unique properties and surface characteristics, can protect the drug from P-gp, cytochrome P-450, and the destructive factors in the GI tract and can increase the permeability of drugs through the gastrointestinal barrier [62]. These reports confirm that nanoparticulate systems with unique properties can increase the transport of many compounds across the GI barrier. Numerous examples of nanoparticles being used to deliver antibodies, cytokines, other proteins, and drug substances into specific cells or tissues with good safety and trustworthiness are reported in the literature [49, 71,85]. 

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The objectives of this study were to expand the work reported by us in the area of antibiotic-containing hydrogels, and to evaluate the novel chitosan-based functional drug-delivery systems which can be successfully incorporated into dual action bioactive restorative materials containing common antibiotics such as erythromycin, krill oil, aloe and aspirin as commonly used antioxidant species (Figure 11.16). 

Chitosan, a natural-based polymer obtained by alkaline deacetylation of chitin, is nontoxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. These properties make chitosan a promising candidate for conventional and novel drug delivery systems. Because of the high affinity of chitosan for cell membranes, it has been used as a coating agent for liposome formulations [43-45]. 

Ahead additional understanding of chitosan-based PEC network development mechanisms, more and more novel drug delivery systems will be produced with tailored applications, particularly the deliveiy systems for macromolecular dmgs e.g. protein and gene delivery. In addition, the in vivo assessment of chitosan-based PEC delivery systems in animal models will be one of the upcoming directions, so as to entirely know their biological fate and in vivo drug delivery effectiveness. 

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