Chitosan Wound Healing and Anti-aging Creams

Author: Inderscience Publishers
Published: 2012/03/17 - Updated: 2021/10/04
Category Topic: Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Chitosan could be used as a protective wound-healing material to avoid opportunistic infection as well as working to facilitate wound healing. Chitosan is defined as material derived from chitin, a polysaccharide found in the exoskeleton of shellfish such as shrimp, lobster, and or crabs.

Introduction

What is Chitosan?

Chitosan is defined as material derived from chitin, a polysaccharide found in the exoskeleton of shellfish such as shrimp, lobster, and or crabs. Chitosan is a fibrous substance that might block absorption of dietary fat and cholesterol. Chitosan is used to treat obesity, high cholesterol, and Crohn's disease. It is also used to treat complications that kidney failure patients on dialysis often face, including high cholesterol, anemia, loss of strength and appetite, and insomnia. Some people apply chitosan directly to their gums to treat inflammation that can lead to tooth loss (periodontitis), or chew gum that contains chitosan to prevent "cavities" (dental caries). Nanoparticles containing chitosan have been shown to have effective antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Escherichia coli.

Main Content

Chitosan has even been tested as an additive for antimicrobial textiles used in clothing for healthcare and other workers. The materials could be used as a protective wound-healing material to avoid opportunistic infection as well as working to facilitate wound healing.

Mihaela Leonida of Fairleigh Dickinson University, in Teaneck, New Jersey and colleagues writing in the International Journal of Nano and Biomaterials describes how they have prepared nanoparticles of chitosan that could have potential in preventing infection in wounds as well as enhancing the wound-healing process itself by stimulating skin cell growth.

The team made their chitosan nanoparticles (CNP) using an ionic gelation process with sodium tripolyphosphate. This process involves the formation of bonds between polymers strands, a so-called cross-linking process. Conducted in these conditions it precludes the need for complex preparative chemistry or toxic solvents. CNP can also be made in the presence of copper and silver ions, known antimicrobial agents. The researchers' preliminary tests show the composite materials to have enhanced activity against two representative types of bacteria.

Understanding the mechanism of inhibition of bacteria by these particles may lead to the preparation of more effective antibacterial agents. The team has also demonstrated that the CNP have skin regenerative properties in tests on skin cell fibroblasts and keratinocytes, in the laboratory, which might even have implications for anti-aging skin care products.

"Nano-composite materials with antimicrobial activity based on chitosan" in Int. J. Nano and Biomaterials, 2012, 3, 316-334

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Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Inderscience Publishers and published on 2012/03/17, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.