Application of Chitosan and Its Derivatives in Transdermal Drug Delivery

Chitosan is a natural polymer having much use in drug delivery applications. The polymer is characterized by its biocompatibility, biodegradability, mucoadhesiveness, antimicrobial activity, non-toxicity and positive charge. Insolubility of chitosan in water and other common organic solvents limits its utility. This problem can be solved by chemical modification of its reactive functional groups; NH2 and -OH to form derivatives with improved solubility. The transdermal drug delivery systems which can control the drug release process have got substantial importance in drug delivery research areas. Chitosan and its derivatives are reported to enhance the skin permeability via a variety of molecular mechanisms. Low molecular weight chitosan is often employed as permeability enhancer in transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS). Various chitosan based transdermal drug delivery systems like composite films, vesicular systems, dendrimers, microspheres, microneedles and other nanocarriers like nanoparticles, nanogel, nanoemulsion, nanolipid carriers with benefits achieved are detailed in this review.