Chitosan-based nanocomposites and nanomaterials for drug delivery of antimicrobial agents: a review

Articles in Press

Document Type : Review Paper

Authors

1 Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

4 Department of Pharmaceutical Control, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

5 Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

With the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and increasing environmental issues, microbial resistance has emerged as a serious and growing global challenge. Moreover, the discovery and development of new antimicrobial agents remain difficult, expensive, and time-consuming. Therefore, the use of advanced drug delivery systems that enhance drug efficacy while reducing side effects has been proposed as a promising alternative strategy. To collect relevant literature, databases such as PubMed and Scopus, as well as search engines such as Google Scholar, were used. Nanomaterials—including nanocomposites, nanoparticles, nanoclays, and nanofibers—play a critical role in these delivery systems. Among them, chitosan, a non-toxic natural polymer with inherent antimicrobial properties, is fundamental because it can overcome many of the limitations of conventional delivery systems. Combining antimicrobial compounds with chitosan not only facilitates effective drug delivery but can also produce synergistic effects, thereby enhancing antimicrobial activity, improving bioavailability, prolonging release, and reducing microbial resistance. The structural characteristics of chitosan, such as its mucoadhesive properties, enable strong binding to biological tissues, which can be further modified for targeted delivery of antimicrobial agents. Chitosan-based nanocomposites also exhibit a high loading capacity for antibacterial agents, owing to their porous architecture, large surface area, and abundant functional groups that facilitate efficient drug binding. Recent advances emphasize the potential of these materials in treating bacterial infections, particularly in wound dressings, biomedical implants, and mucosal drug delivery systems. This review highlights various antimicrobial agents that can be incorporated into chitosan-based nanomaterials, including antibiotics, antifungals, metallic nanoparticles, antivirals, and other bioactive compounds such as toxins and natural products.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Nanomedicine Journal

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Available Online from 07 December 2025

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