Chitosan-based Nano-biocomposites and their Applications in Medicine and Pharmaceutics

Background: Chitosan-based nano-biocomposite has received more and more attentions in the past few years because of the outstanding merits that chitosan is a natural polymer with biodegradable and biocompatible. Objective: The purpose of the present study is to summarize the different preparation methods of chitosan-based nano-biocomposites, such as electrostatic interaction method, preparation of chitosan-based nano-biocomposites from modified chitosan using selfassembly technique, chemical crosslinking approach, metal ions coordination and metal nanoparticles compound methods. In addition, the applications of chitosan-based nanobiocomposites in wound dressing, drug delivery, tissue engineering and biosensors are also discussed. Results: The results show that chitosan-based nano-biocomposites based on nanoparticles or nanohydrogel that can deliver drugs directly to cancer cells at a sustained and controlled rate may provide better efficacy and lower toxicity for the treatment of cancer. Furthermore, chitosan-based nano-biocomposites can enhance the properties of unmodified chitosan and improve the amphipathy, physical and mechanical properties of chitosan and produce new biological functions. Conclusion: It is believed that the rapid development of nano-science and technology must brought broad application prospects for the chitosan-based nano-biocomposites.