Chitosan nanoparticles: a survey of preparation methods

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Science
• Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

• Macromolecule therapeutics face challenges with stability and permeation.
• Non-injectable drug carriers, particularly nanoparticles, are crucial for overcoming these limitations.
• Nanoparticles offer a high surface-to-volume ratio for enhanced epithelial interaction and payload protection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of methods for producing chitosan nanocarriers.
• To detail the variables affecting the properties of chitosan-based nanocarriers.
• To highlight chitosan's potential as a versatile excipient for drug delivery vehicles.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on chitosan nanoparticle synthesis.
• Categorization of production methods based on hydrophilic and lipophilic environments.
• Analysis of factors influencing nanocarrier characteristics.

Main Results:

• Chitosan is a prominent material for nanocarrier formulation.
• Diverse methods exist for chitosan nanoparticle production, varying in conditions (mild to aggressive).
• Specific variables significantly impact the final properties of chitosan nanocarriers.

Conclusions:

• Chitosan nanocarriers are effective in addressing macromolecule delivery issues.
• Understanding production variables is key to optimizing nanocarrier performance.
• Further research into chitosan-based drug delivery systems is warranted.