Recent advances in medical applications of chitosan-based biomaterials

Abstract

Future and current tissue engineering applications as a therapeutic approach in regenerative medicine seem promising. Chitosan has various characteristics, including minimal toxicity, biocompatibility, extensive antibacterial effectiveness, and numerous others, that make it appealing for biological applications. The ability to construct chitosan into a range of structures, including membranes, hydrogels, scaffolds, and nanoparticles, is crucial because these structures can be specifically designed to provide the desired result. Composite chitosan-based biomaterials, comprising but not restricted to cardiac, nerve, skin, dental, cartilage, bone, and other tissues, have been shown to promote in-vivo repair and regeneration of a variety of organs and tissues. In particular, after treatment with chitosan-based formulations, de novo tissue formation, differentiation from local stem cells, and matrix extracellular rebuilding were seen in numerous preclinical tissue lesion models. Furthermore, because chitosan structures can sustain the prolonged release of various therapies, they are effective transporters for drugs, genes, and bioactive substances. This study evaluates chitosan as a viable bioactive polymer substitute for regenerative medicine, focusing on its inherent qualities and application in tissue engineering.