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Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Self-Nanoemulsification of Healthy Oils to Enhance the Solubility of Lipophilic Drugs
Published on: July 27, 2022
Chitosan-based nanoformulations for enhancing the oral bioavailability of rosmarinic acid
Salfarina Ezrina Mohmad Saberi1, Lee Suan Chua2, Xiaohao Wu1
1Herbal and Phytochemical Unit, Institute of Bioproduct Development, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM Skudai, Johor Bahru, 81310, Johor, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Rosmarinic acid (RosA) demonstrates significant pharmacological properties. However, its oral administration is considerably hindered by inadequate solubility, instability within the gastrointestinal tract, and low intestinal permeability. Chitosan (CS), a functional cationic polysaccharide, presents distinct advantages as an oral delivery vehicle owing to its mucoadhesive, permeation-enhancing, and protective characteristics. This review encompasses recent advancements (2020-2026) in CS-based nanoformulation strategies aimed at enhancing the oral bioavailability of RosA, comprising polyelectrolyte complexes, ionic gelation nanoparticles (NPs), CS-coated lipid and polymeric NPs, self-assembled and chemically modified CS systems, oral film and strip-integrated CS nanoformulations and hybrid CS-based nanosystems. Critical discussions are presented on mechanistic aspects regarding stabilization of CS-RosA interactions, improvement in solubilization and dispersion, prolonged gastrointestinal residence time, enhanced paracellular transport and modulation of intestinal metabolism and efflux processes. Key formulation parameters influencing performance such as molecular weight (MW), degree of deacetylation (DD), and surface charge are compared across delivery platforms. Finally, translational considerations including scalability, safety, and readiness for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications are highlighted. CS-based nanoformulations represent a versatile carbohydrate polymer platform for advancing the oral delivery and industrial translation of RosA.
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