title: Recent advances in chitosan films for controlled release of drugs.
abstract: Chitosan is a versatile carrier for biologically active agent from a small molecule such as an antibiotic to macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. In addition, drug delivery devices based on chitosan can be available in a variety of morphologies including films, fibers, nanoparticles and microspheres. Otherwise the inherent advantages of this polymer such as biocompatibility, tissue adhesions and hydrophilic nature, chitosan can be modified to accomplish a specific purpose, for example improves release kinetics. In this review, recent patents of chitosan-based film systems for drug delivery are presented and discussed. This review include matrix type systems, membrane coated systems and film forming solution. For each one of these systems, several examples of manufacture processes, bioactive agents to be delivered and specifics applications are considered. This work highlights the use of chitosan in the film technology for drug delivery, presenting examples of chitosan used in an unmodified state and examples of modifications of the polymer backbone.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Química Fina, Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química, Universidad Nacional del Litoral and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CCT CONICET-SANTA FE, Paraje El Pozo, Santa Fe, Argentina. lmengatto@santafe-conicet.gov.ar
authors.forename: Luciano N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Mengatto
authors.forename: Ignacio M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Helbling
authors.forename: Julio A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Luna
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D010330:Patents as Topic; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D048271:Chitosan