Chitosan and its use as a pharmaceutical excipient

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical science
• Biomaterials science
• Drug delivery

Background:

• Chitosan is a versatile biopolymer with a favorable safety profile.
• Traditional pharmaceutical excipients have limitations in drug formulation and delivery.
• Chitosan's unique properties offer potential advantages over conventional excipients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the multifaceted applications of chitosan as a pharmaceutical excipient.
• To highlight chitosan's benefits in various drug dosage forms and delivery routes.
• To assess chitosan's potential for advanced pharmaceutical applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing research on chitosan in pharmaceutical formulations.
• Analysis of chitosan's physical and chemical properties relevant to drug delivery.
• Evaluation of chitosan's performance in direct tablet compression, controlled release, and transmucosal absorption.

Main Results:

• Chitosan demonstrates efficacy as a tablet disintegrant and in direct compression.
• It facilitates controlled release of drugs, including hormone implants.
• Chitosan enhances transmucosal absorption of polar drugs, peptides, proteins, and vaccines.

Conclusions:

• Chitosan is a highly adaptable and effective pharmaceutical excipient.
• Its applications span from solid dosage forms to advanced drug delivery systems.
• Chitosan's safety and efficacy position it as a key material for future pharmaceutical innovation.