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PubMed2005

Immobilization of laminin peptide in molecularly aligned chitosan by covalent bonding.

We developed a new biomaterial effective for nerve regeneration consisting of molecularly aligned chitosan with laminin peptides bonded covalently. Molecularly aligned chitosan was prepared from crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) tendons by ethanol treatment and 4 wt%-NaOH aqueous solutions to remove proteins and calcium phosphate, followed by deacetyl treatment using a 50 wt%-NaOH aqueous solution at 100 degrees C. Molecularly aligned tendon chitosan was chemically thiolated by reacting 4-thiobutyrolactone with the chitosan amino group. The introduction of thiol groups and their distribution to tendon chitosan and chitosan cast film were confirmed using ATR FT-IR, (1)H-NMR, and EDS. The 1.24 micromol/g of thiol groups introduced on the surface of tendon chitosan and the chitosan cast film was confirmed using ultraviolet (UV) spectra. Thiol groups of cysteine located at the end of synthetic laminin peptides were then reacted chemically with thiolated chitosan to form chitosan-S-S-laminin peptide. YIGSR estimated at 0.92 micromol/g and IKVAV estimated at 0.28 micromol/g on thiolated tendon chitosan were confirmed using UV spectra. YIGSR was estimated at 0.85 micromol/g and IKVAV was estimated at 0.34 micromol/g on the thiolated chitosan cast film.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

In vitro characterization of chitosan-gelatin scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Recently, chitosan-gelatin scaffolds have gained much attention in various tissue engineering applications. However, the underlying cell-matrix interactions remain unclear in addition to the scaffold degradation and mechanical characteristics. In this study, we evaluated (i) the degradation kinetics of chitosan and chitosan-gelatin scaffolds in the presence of 10mg/L of lysozyme for dimensional stability, weight loss, and pH changes for a period of 2 months, (ii) tensile and compressive properties of films and scaffolds in wet state at 37 degrees C, (iii) viability of fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on scaffolds, and (iv) the alteration in cell spreading characteristics, cytoskeletal actin distribution, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) distribution and PECAM-1 expression of HUVECs under static and 4.5, 8.5, 13 and 18 dyn/cm2 shear stress conditions. Degradation results showed that gelatin-containing chitosan scaffolds had faster degradation rate and significant loss of material than chitosan. Mechanical properties of chitosan are affected by the addition of gelatin although there was no clear trend. Three-dimensional chitosan and chitosan-gelatin scaffolds supported fibroblast viability equally. However, chitosan membranes decreased cell-spreading area, disrupted F-actin and localized FAK in the nucleus of HUVECs. Importantly, the lowest shear stress tested (4.5 dyn/cm2) for 3 h washed away cells on chitosan suggesting weak cell adhesion. In the blends, effect of gelatin was dominant; actin and FAK distribution were comparable to gelatin in static culture. However, at higher shear stresses, presence of chitosan inhibited shear-induced increase in cell spreading and weakened cell adhesive strength. No significant differences were observed in PECAM-1 expression. In summary, these results showed significant influence of blending gelatin with chitosan on scaffold properties and cellular behavior.

Actins↗

PubMed2006

Retinol-encapsulated low molecular water-soluble chitosan nanoparticles.

This aim of this study was to encapsulate retinol into chitosan nanoparticles and reconstitute it into aqueous solution. Retinol-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles were prepared for application of cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. Retinol-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticle has a spherical shape and its particle sizes were around 50-200 nm according to the drug contents. Particle size was increased according to the increase of drug contents. Solubility of retinol is able to increase by encapsulation into chitosan nanoparticles more than 1600-fold. It was suggested that retinol was encapsulated into chitosan nanoparticles by ion complex as a result of FT-IR spectra. Specific peak of chitosan at 1590 cm(-1) was divided to semi-doublet due to the electrostatic interaction between amine group of chitosan and hydroxyl group of retinol. At (1)H NMR spectra, specific peaks of retinol disappeared when retinol-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles were reconstituted into D(2)O while specific peaks both of retinol and chitosan appeared at D(2)O/DMSO (1/4, v/v) mixture. XRD patterns also showed that crystal peaks of retinol were disappeared by encapsulation into chitosan nanoparticles. Retinol-encapsulated nanoparticles were completely reconstituted into aqueous solution as same as original aqueous solution and zeta potential of reconstituted chitosan nanoparticles was similar to their original solution. At HPLC study, retinol was stably and efficiently encapsulated into chitosan nanoparticles.

Chitosan↗

PubMed2004

Oral insulin delivery: the potential of thiolated chitosan-insulin tablets on non-diabetic rats.

It was the aim of this study to develop a delivery system providing an improved efficacy of orally administered insulin utilizing a thiolated polymer. 2-Iminothiolane was covalently linked to chitosan. The resulting chitosan-TBA (chitosan-4-thiobutylamidine) conjugate exhibited 453.5+/-64.1 micromol thiol groups per gram polymer. 3.1% of these thiol groups were oxidised. Additionally, the enzyme inhibitors BBI (Bowman-Birk-Inhibitor) and elastatinal were covalently linked to chitosan representing 3.5+/-0.1% and 0.5+/-0.03% of the total weight of the resulting polymer conjugate, respectively. Chitosan-TBA conjugate (5 mg), insulin (2.75 mg), the permeation mediator reduced glutathione (0.75 mg) and the two inhibitor conjugates (in each case 0.75 mg) were compressed to so-called chitosan-TBA-insulin tablets. Control tablets consisted of unmodified chitosan (7.25 mg) and insulin (2.75 mg). Chitosan-TBA-insulin tablets showed a controlled release of insulin over 8 h. In vitro mucoadhesion studies showed that the mucoadhesive/cohesive properties of chitosan were at least 60-fold improved by the immobilisation of thiol groups on the polymer. After oral administration of chitosan-TBA-insulin tablets to non-diabetic conscious rats, the blood glucose level decreased significantly for 24 h corresponding to a pharmacological efficacy of 1.69+/-0.42% (means+/-S.D.; n=6) versus s.c. injection. In contrast, neither control tablets nor insulin given in solution showed a comparable effect. According to these results the combination of chitosan-TBA, chitosan-enzyme-inhibitor conjugates and reduced glutathione seems to represent a promising strategy for the oral application of insulin.

Adhesives↗

PubMed2003

Alkaline chitosan solutions.

Rigid and transparent hydrogels were obtained upon pouring chitosan salt solutions into saturated ammonium hydrogen carbonate. Incubation at 20 degrees C for 5 days yielded chitosan carbamate ammonium salt, Chit-NHCO(2)(-)NH(4)(+) a chemical species that either by hydrolysis or by thermal treatment decomposed to restore chitosan in free amine form. Chitosans of different degrees of acetylation, molecular sizes and origins (squid and crustaceans) were used as hydrochloride, acetate, glycolate, citrate and lactate salts. Their hydrogels obtained in ammonium hydrogen carbonate yielded chitosan solutions at pH values as high as 9.6, from which microspheres of regenerated chitosans were obtained upon spray-drying. These materials had a modest degree of crystallinity depending on the partial acylation that took place at the sprayer temperature (168 degrees C). Citrate could cross-link chitosan and impart insolubility to the microspheres. Chloride on the contrary permitted to prepare microspheres of chitosan in free amine form. By the NH(4)HCO(3) treatment, the cationicity of chitosan could be reversibly masked in view of mixing chitosan with alginate in equimolar ratio without coacervation. The clear and poorly viscous solutions of mixed chitosan carbamate and alginate were spray-dried at 115 degrees C to manufacture chitosan-alginate microspheres having prevailing diameter approx 2 micron.

Alginates↗

PubMed2001

Chitosan disrupts the barrier properties of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria.

The mode of antimicrobial action of chitosan (polymeric beta-1,4-N-acetylglucosamine) on gram-negative bacteria was studied with special emphasis on its ability to bind to and weaken the barrier function of the outer membrane (OM). Chitosan (250 ppm) at pH 5.3 induced significant uptake of the hydrophobic probe 1-N-phenylnaphthylamine (NPN) in Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium. The effect was reduced (E. coli, salmonellae) or abolished (P. aeruginosa) by MgCl2. No NPN uptake was observed during exposure of the salmonellae to chitosan at pH 7.2. Chitosan also sensitized P. aeruginosa and the salmonellae to the lytic effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS); such sensitization was not blocked by MgCl2 and was reversible by washing chitosan-treated cells prior to SDS exposure. Chemical and electrophoretic analyses of cell-free supernatants of chitosan-treated cell suspensions showed that interaction of chitosan with E. coli and the salmonellae involved no release of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or other membrane lipids. However, chitosan rendered E. coli more sensitive to the inhibitory action of dyes and bile acids used in selective media. Highly cationic mutants of S. typhimurium were more resistant to chitosan than the parent strains. Electron microscopy showed that chitosan caused extensive cell surface alterations and covered the OM with vesicular structures. Chitosan thus appeared to bind to the outer membrane, explaining the loss of the barrier function. This property makes chitosan a potentially useful indirect antimicrobial for food protection.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗

PubMed2003

Effect of abiotic factors on the antibacterial activity of chitosan against waterborne pathogens.

To assess the adaptability of chitosan (from agricultural waste) as a natural disinfectant, its antibacterial activity against bacteria associated with waterborne diseases was investigated by varying such abiotic conditions, as pH and ionic strength and by adding different amounts of acid solvent, metal ions, and EDTA. Two major waterborne pathogens, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, were examined. Results showed that organic acids with low carbon number were better solvents for chitosan than were inorganic acids. The effect of pH below 6 on the antibacterial activity of chitosan was significant. The antibacterial activity of chitosan increased with ionic strength but decreased with the addition of metal ions. The addition of Zn(2+) ions inhibited the antibacterial activity of chitosan the most, while the addition of Mg(2+) ions inhibited the antibacterial activity of chitosan the least. This was due to the chelating capacity of chitosan toward metal ions. The antibacterial activity of chitosan against E. coli was enhanced by EDTA. However, the antibacterial activity of chitosan against S. aureus was partially suppressed by EDTA. The antibacterial activity of chitosan was also dependent on its charges and solubility. The antibacterial mechanism of chitosan has currently been hypothesized as being related to surface interference. The results show that the chitosan is a potential bactericide under various environmental conditions.

Acids↗

PubMed2001

Interactions of phospholipid bilayer with chitosan: effect of molecular weight and pH.

Chitosan has demonstrated its potentials as a gene carrier and a membrane perturbant for subsequent drug delivery to cells. However, there is currently a lack of experimental correlation between the physiochemical properties of chitosan and the resulting degree of lipid bilayer destabilization. In this study, the effect of pH and chitosan molecular weight on the interaction between chitosan and dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) bilayer was examined with cross-polarization microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform- (FT-) Raman spectroscopy. Cross-polarized images showed that the direct hydration of the DPPC/chitosan mixture led to the formation of larger DPPC multilamellar vesicles (MLV), and pure chitosan also induced fusions of individual MLV. Under the influence of chitosan, the calorimetric enthalpy of DPPC was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner, and a new phase appeared at 28 degrees C during sample cooling. Even the lowest chitosan mole fraction of 0.04% reduced the cooperative unit of the DPPC bilayer by more than 70%. In addition, the electrostatic effect between chitosan and DPPC tuned the degree of membrane bilayer perturbation. Reduction of pH increased the number of protonated amines on the chitosan backbone and caused further disruption on the membrane organization. Mixing DPPC with chitosan in an organic medium before hydration enhanced the hydrophobic interactions between the two molecules and greatly reduced the cooperative unit among individual lipids during the main phase transition. The increase of chitosan molecular weight also affected the cooperativity in the thermotropic transition of DPPC bilayer. FT-Raman spectroscopy provided additional evidence that chitosan directly perturbed the organizations of the hydrophobic inner core of the DPPC bilayer.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Chitosan-induced restructuration of a mica-supported phospholipid bilayer: an atomic force microscopy study.

Chitosan has emerged as a promising material for biomedical applications. However, the effect of chitosan adsorption on the structure of model biomembrane is not known. In this study, atomic force microscopy (AFM) is employed to investigate the interaction between chitosan and mica-supported dipalmitoylphosphocholine (DPPC) bilayer. First, in situ AFM measurement indicates that nucleation of chitosan occurs around the membrane defects at the initial stage of chitosan incubation. Eventually, DPPC-chitosan binding and chitosan intermolecular association lead to chitosan aggregation on the membrane surface which is quantified by average height measurement and RMS roughness analysis. Lateral force microscopy (LFM) confirms that the adsorbed chitosan has distinct material properties. Furthermore, the trend of surface pressure-area isotherms supports the condensation of DPPC monolayer induced by chitosan in the aqueous subphase. Surface coverage and surface roughness analysis show that the extent of chitosan aggregation on the supported membrane is affected by the incubation time during long-term chitosan incubation.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

PubMed2005

Influence of pH, ionic strength, and temperature on self-association and interactions of sodium dodecyl sulfate in the absence and presence of chitosan.

Chitosan is a cationic biopolymer that has many potential applications in the food industry because of its unique nutritional and physicochemical properties. Many of these properties depend on its ability to interact with anionic surface-active molecules, such as surfactants, phospholipids, and bile acids. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of pH (3 and 7), ionic strength (0-200 mM NaCl), and temperature (10-50 degrees C) on the interactions between a model anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) and chitosan using isothermal titration calorimetry, selective surfactant electrode, and turbidity measurements. At pH 3 and 30 degrees C, SDS bound strongly to chitosan to form an insoluble complex that contained about 4-5 mmol of SDS/1 g of chitosan at saturation. When SDS and chitosan were mixed at pH 7 they did not interact strongly, presumably because the biopolymer had lost most of its positive charge at this pH. However, when SDS and chitosan were mixed at pH 3 and then the solution was adjusted to pH 7, the SDS remained bound to the chitosan. The presence of NaCl (0-200 mM) in the solutions decreased the critical micelle concentration (cmc) of SDS (in both the absence and the presence of chitosan) but had little influence on the amount of SDS bound to chitosan at saturation. The cmc of SDS and the amount of SDS bound to the chitosan at saturation were largely independent of the holding temperature (10-40 degrees C). Nevertheless, the enthalpy changes associated with micelle dissociation were highly temperature-dependent, indicating the importance of hydrophobic interactions, whereas the enthalpy changes associated with SDS-chitosan binding were almost temperature-independent, indicating the dominant contribution of electrostatic interactions. This study provides information that may lead to the rational design of chitosan-based ingredients or products with specific nutritional and functional characteristics, for example, cholesterol lowering.

Chitosan↗

PubMed2002

Uptake of FITC-chitosan nanoparticles by A549 cells.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the extent and mechanism of uptake of fluorescent chitosan nanoparticles by the A549 cells, a human cell line derived from the respiratory epithelium. METHODS: Covalent conjugation with fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate yielded stably labeled chitosan molecules, which were successfully formulated into nanoparticles by ionotropic gelation. Uptake of fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate-chitosan nanoparticles and chitosan molecules by confluent A549 cells was quantified by fluorometry. RESULTS: Cellular uptake of chitosan nanoparticles was concentration and temperature dependent, having Km and Vmax of 3.84 microM and 58.14 microg/mg protein/h, respectively. Uptake of chitosan nanoparticles was up to 1.8-fold higher than that of chitosan molecules alone and was not inhibited by excess unlabeled chitosan molecules. Hyperosmolarity, chlorpromazine and K+ depletion inhibited by 65, 34, and 54%, respectively, the uptake of chitosan nanoparticles at 37 degrees C, but filipin had no influence on the uptake. Confocal imaging confirmed the internalization of the chitosan nanoparticles by the A549 cells at 37 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: Formulation of chitosan into nanoparticles significantly improved its uptake by the A549 cells. Internalization of chitosan nanoparticles by the cells seems to occur predominantly by adsorptive endocytosis initiated by nonspecific interactions between nanoparticles and cell membranes, and was in part mediated by clathrin-mediated process.

Chitin↗

PubMed2005

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of thiolated chitosan microparticles.

The objective of this study was to prepare a microparticulate drug delivery system being based on a new thiomer, namely a chitosan 2-iminothiolane conjugate (chitosan-TBA conjugate). Due to thiol groups being immobilized on chitosan, chitosan-TBA conjugate exhibits improved mucoadhesive and permeation enhancing properties. Because of these features microparticulate drug delivery systems based on chitosan-TBA conjugate might be a promising tool for the non-invasive administration of hydrophilic macromolecular drugs. Chitosan-TBA conjugate microspheres were prepared by the emulsification/solvent evaporation method. Fluorescein-isothiocyanate labelled dextran (FITC-dextran) was chosen as a model hydrophilic drug. Microspheres have been characterized by morphological analysis, thiol group content, swelling behaviour, polymer degradation drug load determination, dissolution test and mucoadhesion studies. Results reported in this work demonstrated the possibility to obtain stable microspheres without cross-linking agents. Thiolated chitosan microspheres seem to be more stable in aqueous media with respect to unmodified chitosan. The degradability by lysozyme appears quite similar for both polymers, showing that chemical modification does not influence the biodegradable properties of chitosan. Microspheres were able to control the drug release for at least 1 h, exhibiting comparatively strong mucoadhesive properties. The chitosan-TBA conjugate microparticles remain on the mucosa in a 2.5-fold higher concentration with respect to unmodified chitosan microparticles. These data suggest that chitosan-TBA conjugate microspheres have the potential to be used as a mucoadhesive drug delivery system.

Adhesiveness↗

PubMed2004

Purification and characterization of chitosanase from Bacillus sp. strain KCTC 0377BP and its application for the production of chitosan oligosaccharides.

For the enzymatic production of chitosan oligosaccharides from chitosan, a chitosanase-producing bacterium, Bacillus sp. strain KCTC 0377BP, was isolated from soil. The bacterium constitutively produced chitosanase in a culture medium without chitosan as an inducer. The production of chitosanase was increased from 1.2 U/ml in a minimal chitosan medium to 100 U/ml by optimizing the culture conditions. The chitosanase was purified from a culture supernatant by using CM-Toyopearl column chromatography and a Superose 12HR column for fast-performance liquid chromatography and was characterized according to its enzyme properties. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 45 kDa by means of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme demonstrated bifunctional chitosanase-glucanase activities, although it showed very low glucanase activity, with less than 3% of the chitosanase activity. Activity of the enzyme increased with an increase of the degrees of deacetylation (DDA) of the chitosan substrate. However, the enzyme still retained 72% of its relative activity toward the 39% DDA of chitosan, compared with the activity of the 94% DDA of chitosan. The enzyme produced chitosan oligosaccharides from chitosan, ranging mainly from chitotriose to chitooctaose. By controlling the reaction time and by monitoring the reaction products with gel filtration high-performance liquid chromatography, chitosan oligosaccharides with a desired oligosaccharide content and composition were obtained. In addition, the enzyme was efficiently used for the production of low-molecular-weight chitosan and highly acetylated chitosan oligosaccharides. A gene (csn45) encoding chitosanase was cloned, sequenced, and compared with other functionally related genes. The deduced amino acid sequence of csn45 was dissimilar to those of the classical chitosanase belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 46 but was similar to glucanases classified with glycoside hydrolase family 8.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Synthesis and characterization of surface-functionalized conducting polyaniline-chitosan nanocomposite.

We describe in this paper an easy route to the synthesis of a novel surface-functionalized conducting polyaniline-chitosan nanocomposite. A stable colloidal dispersion was prepared when aniline was polymerized in the presence of chitosan as the steric stabilizer. TEM study shows that these surface-functionalized polyaniline-chitosan nanoparticles have rice-grain morphologies. The effect of reaction parameters on the mean size of the polyaniline-chitosan nanoparticles was studied. The steric electrostatic interaction between segments of these two polymers explains the excellent storage stability of the polyaniline-chitosan dispersion. Reaction parameters were optimized in order to get stable polyaniline-chitosan dispersion. The chemical structures of polyaniline-chitosan nanocomposite were characterized. FT-IR spectra of the polyaniline-chitosan nanocomposite show that there exist a certain interaction between polyaniline and chitosan. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra show that chitosan is largely present at the surface of polyaniline-chitosan nanoparticles. The electrical conductivity of the polyaniline-chitosan nanocomposite increases with increasing the amount of polyaniline to a high value of 0.25 S/cm.

Aniline Compounds↗

PubMed2003

The influence of chitosan on in vitro properties of Eudragit RS microspheres.

Eudragit RS microspheres containing chitosan hydrochloride were prepared by the solvent evaporation method using acetone/liquid paraffin solvent system and their properties were compared with Eudragit RS microspheres without chitosan, prepared in our previous study. Different stirring rates were applied (400-1200 rpm) and drug content, Higuchi dissolution rate constant, surface and structure characteristics of the microspheres were determined for each size fraction. An increase in average particle size with a reduction of stirring rate appeared in limited interval in both series. The average particle size of microspheres without chitosan, prepared at the same stirring rate, was smaller. Pipemidic acid content increased with increasing fraction particle size, but not with increasing stirring rate as it was observed for microspheres without chitosan. We presume that high pipemidic acid content in larger microspheres is a consequence of cumulation of undissolved pipemidic acid particles in larger droplets during microspheres preparation procedure. Pipemidic acid release was faster from microspheres with chitosan and no correlation between Higuchi dissolution rate constant and stirring rate or fraction particle size was found, though it existed in the system without chitosan. Structure and surface characteristics of microspheres observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) were not changed significantly by incorporation of chitosan. But in contrast with microspheres without chitosan, the surface of chitosan microspheres was more porous after three hours of dissolution. It is supposed that the influence of particle size fraction and stirring rate on release characteristics is expressed to a great extent through porosity and indirectly through total effective surface area, but the incorporation of highly soluble component i.e. chitosan salt hides these effects on drug release. In conclusion, changes in biopharmaceutical properties due to varying stirring rate and fraction particle size exhibited the same direction as those reported for the microspheres without chitosan, although they are less expressed because of increased experimental variability, likely caused by chitosan.

Acrylic Resins↗

PubMed2003

Application of chitin and chitosan derivatives in the pharmaceutical field.

Chitin and chitosan derivatives are used as excipients and drug carriers in the pharmaceutical field. Their derivatization contributed to expansion of application and decrease toxicity. Chitosan is used as an excipient in oral dosage form. Chitosan tablet can exhibit a sustained drug release compared to commercial products. Films prepared using chitin or chitosan have been developed as wound dressings, oral mucoadhesive and water-resisting adhesive by virtue of their release characteristics and adhesion. Intratumoral administration of gadopentetic acid-chitosan complex nanoparticles (approximately 430 nm in diameter) has been more effective for gadolinium neutron-capture therapy compared with a group treated with the solution. Compared to intragastrical feeding with diphtheria toxoid (DT) in PBS, a strong enhancement of the systemic (IgG) and local (IgA) immune responses against DT has been observed in mice fed with DT loaded chitosan microparticles (approximately 4.7 microm in size). When DNA-loaded chitosan microspheres (1.15 - 1.28 microm) were intramuscularly administrated into mice, high beta-galactosidase and luciferase productions were obtained even after a long post-transfection period (12 weeks). N-Succinyl-chitosan (Suc-Chi) has been studied for cancer chemotherapy as a drug carrier and the conjugates of mitomycin C with Suc-Chi exhibited good antitumor activities against various tumors. Furthermore, trimethyl-chitosan and monocarboxymethyl-chitosan has been shown to be effective as intestinal absorption enhancers due to their physiological properties. Chitosan-thioglycolic acid conjugates has been found to be a promising candidate as scaffold material in tissue engineering due to their physicochemical properties. This review summarizes the application of chitin and chitosan derivatives for hospital preparations and drug carriers.

Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic↗

PubMed2001

Effect of a composite membrane of chitosan and poloxamer gel on postoperative adhesive interactions.

Excessive postoperative adhesion formation is a major result of surgery. The adhesion reduction effects of a chitosan membrane and poloxamer gel barrier were measured in a rat peritoneal model. Forty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (control, poloxamer, chitosan, and poloxamer+chitosan sandwich). Two cm2 of cecal serosa and the adjacent abdominal wall were abraded. The denuded cecum was covered with either a chitosan membrane, a poloxamer gel, chitosan in a sandwich configuration with poloxamer on both sides, or neither (control group) and apposed to the abdominal wall. Fourteen days after surgery adhesions were graded using a whole-number scoring system of zero to five. Adhesion strength was determined using a whole-number system of one to four. Adhesion area was measured on a continuous scale of adhesion severity. Adhesion grades were highest in the control group (5.00 +/- 0.00) and were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the poloxamer group (3.50 +/- 1.35), the chitosan group (1.64 +/- 1.63), and the poloxamer+chitosan group (1.18 +/- 1.25). The two chitosan-containing groups also had significantly (P < 0.05) reduced adhesion grades in comparison with the poloxamer group. Adhesion area in both chitosan-containing groups was reduced in comparison with control and adhesion strength was reduced significantly (P < 0.05) in all groups compared with control. The poloxamer+chitosan group had significantly (P < 0.05) reduced adhesion strength versus poloxamer only. There was a significant (P < 0.05) linear correlation (r = 0.931, P < 0.001) between adhesion grade and adhesion strength. We conclude that chitosan and the combination of poloxamer+chitosan were shown to effectively reduce adhesion area, grade, and strength.

Adhesiveness↗

PubMed2004

Chitosan (biochikol 020 PC) in the control of some ornamental foliage diseases.

Chitosan, (Biochikol 020 PC) a potential elicitor of plant defence and also an active inhibitor of fungal growth was used in experiments. The compound was used at concentrations 0.01 to 0.2% as a plant spray for rose protection against Sphaerotheca pannosa var. rosae, Peronospora sparsa and Diplocarpon rosae, Oidium chrysanthemi and Puccinia horiana on chrysanthemum, against Melampsora epitea on willow. Myrothecium roridum on dieffenbachia and against Lophodermium spp on Scots pine. Effectiveness of this product, applied curatively 2-times at 7-day-intervals after appearance of rose powdery mildew symptoms on most of plant parts, was about 32%. When compound was applied just after the first disease symptoms appearance, after 2-week-protection its effectiveness was about 43-60%. After 4 weeks, effectiveness of chitosan (Biochikol 020 PC) increased and ranged from 67 to 77%. In the control of P. sparsa on rose shrubs, growing in plastic tunnel, chitosan at conc. 0.025% was applied 4 times at weekly intervals. Effectiveness of chitosan against this pathogen was over 72%, similar as standard fungicide. Increase of chitosan (Biochikol 020 PC) concentration resulted in decrease of its effectiveness. In case of D. rosae control, chitosan used 9 times at weekly intervals was applied after first disease symptoms. After 3-week-protection effectiveness of the compound varied from 18 to 60% according to used concentration. After 9 weeks of protection effectiveness of tested product ranged from 16 to 23% and was connected with used concentration. Increase of chitosan concentration resulted in better protection of rose shrubs. Effectiveness of chitosan (Biochikol 020 PC) used 4-times at conc. 0.01 to 0.05% as chrysanthemum spray in the control of Oidium chrysanthemi ranged from 69 to 79%, whereas against Puccinia horiana from 54-97%. Two-time-spraying of willow with rust symptoms (Melampsora epitea) with chitosan at conc. 01-0.04% caused decrease of disease severity from 26 to 47%. Additionally about 10 to 25% of uredinia were dried up. Chitosan (Biochikol 020 PC) applied for leaf spraying inhibited the development of Myrothecium leaf spot on dieffenbachia more than 85%. Curative application of the compound controlled Myrotecium leaf spot at about 40%. Chitosan efficacy was also tested against one-year-old Pinus sylvestris seedlings growing in field conditions. Plants were sprayed fortnightly 14-times (long programme) or 5-times (short programme) against Lophodermium spp. Observations made during next spring showed that effectiveness of chitosan (Biochikol 020 PC) was more than 50% (long programme) and below 50% (short programme).

Ascomycota↗