Chapter 4 - Hydrogels based on chitosan

Abstract

Chitosan is widely employed to develop hydrogels due to its promising advantages like biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low cost. Hydroxyl and amine groups in the chitosan backbone are responsible for tissue adherence, drug delivery, chemical modification, etc. Chitosan alone or with natural/synthetic polymers has been widely explored in the biomedical area. This chapter highlights different hydrogel classifications and diversified ways of synthesis. The demand for chitosan-based stimuli-responsive hydrogels is increasing in the biomedical field due to improved biosensing, drug delivery, aid-in diagnostics, and tissue engineering. This chapter covers all types of chitosan-based stimuli-responsive hydrogels. Chitosan has numerous antioxidant, hemostatic, and chelating agent applications. This material is also used to control the bleeding as it acts as a procoagulant that initiates clotting. Chitosan application is increasing gradually in multiples areas like food industries, agriculture, cosmetics, medical, and pharmaceuticals. This chapter discusses the potential intervention of hydrogel based on chitosan in drug delivery through different routes and tissue engineering. Additionally, several commercially available chitosan hydrogels are highlighted. Apart from numerous applications and advantages, chitosan bears some inherent limitations. Thus, chitosan-based hydrogel should focus on inventing advanced technology for potential clinical applications.