Glycosylated-Chitosan Derivatives: A Systematic Review

Molecules. 2020 Mar 27;25(7):1534. doi: 10.3390/molecules25071534.

Abstract

Chitosan derivatives, and more specifically, glycosylated derivatives, are nowadays attracting much attention within the scientific community due to the fact that this set of engineered polysaccharides finds application in different sectors, spanning from food to the biomedical field. Overcoming chitosan (physical) limitations or grafting biological relevant molecules, to mention a few, represent two cardinal strategies to modify parent biopolymer; thereby, synthetizing high added value polysaccharides. The present review is focused on the introduction of oligosaccharide side chains on the backbone of chitosan. The synthetic aspects and the effect on physical-chemical properties of such modifications are discussed. Finally, examples of potential applications in biomaterials design and drug delivery of these novel modified chitosans are disclosed.

Keywords: chemical synthesis; chitosan; drug/gene delivery applications; glycosylated-chitosan derivatives; physical-chemical properties; tissue engineering applications.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Chitosan / analogs & derivatives
  • Chitosan / chemical synthesis
  • Chitosan / chemistry*
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Glycosylation
  • Humans
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Oligosaccharides / chemistry*
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Chitosan