Application of chitosan-based nanogels for dermal and transdermal delivery systems

We review the utilization of chitosan-based nanogels as advanced vehicles for dermal drug delivery. Dermal delivery allows local treatment with a simple application for the patient, while also providing an alternative route that avoids gastrointestinal degradation and first-pass metabolism to help reduce doses and systemic side effects. Nanogels are nanoscale hydrogel networks that preserve the drug-loading capacity and tunable release characteristics of hydrogels, while retaining the colloidal stability of nanoparticles. The addition of chitosan into nanogels provides bioadhesive and permeability-enhancing characteristics; for example, chitosan's positive charge promotes adhesion to negatively charged skin and can transiently open tight junctions to improve uptake of drugs. Chitosan nanogels exhibit higher drug encapsulation efficiency and more controlled release than conventional topical or bulk gels, and improved penetration into biological membranes due to their small size and surface charge. Chitosan nanogels can be prepared by various methods, including via ionic gelation (electrostatic crosslinking), emulsification (with emulsion polymerization), self-assembly, and radical (covalent) polymerization. These systems have been investigated in dermatology, skin care, cosmetics, and dermal cancer therapy. Overall, chitosan nanogels represent a unique and versatile platform in which mucoadhesion, biocompatibility, and permeation enhancement can collectively improve the efficacy and safety of topical and transdermal therapies.