Chitosan a natural anti-inflammatory and wound healing agent: A brief update

Abstract

Inflammation is a complex physiological response that serves as a critical component in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Over the years, chitosan, a natural polysaccharide sourced from chitin, has gained significant attention as a prospective anti-inflammatory agent. This brief review aims to summarize the existing knowledge about chitosan's anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms. It discusses in vitro and in vivo studies on chitosan's impact on inflammatory markers, immune responses, and cellular signaling pathways. Additionally, it presents an overview of the different formulations and delivery systems of chitosan utilized in preclinical and clinical studies. The findings suggest that chitosan exhibits promising anti-inflammatory effects by modulating pro-inflammatory mediators, inhibiting inflammatory enzymes, and regulating immune cell functions. Moreover, the biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity of chitosan make it a promising candidate for therapeutic applications. However, additional investigation is necessary to clarify the exact mechanisms that explain its anti-inflammatory activity and enhance its therapeutic potential. Overall, this review highlights the chemistry, applications of chitosan in biomedical fields, and the utilization of chitosan as an anti-inflammatory agent in drug delivery systems, with a growing body of evidence supporting the potential of chitosan as a valuable anti-inflammatory agent, paving the way for future investigations and the development of novel therapeutic interventions.