Antimicrobial and Wound Healing Effects of Chitosan‐Based Nanomaterials

Chitosan is a biopolymer resulting from deacetylation of chitin; it gains interest in the pharmaceutical industry for being biocompatible, biodegradable, abundant, and safe. In this chapter, we will discuss general features about chitosan like sources and abundance; method of preparation from chitin; importance of nanotechnology in pharmaceutical industry; different techniques used to prepare chitosan-based nanoformulation like nanoparticles, nanogel, nanofiber, etc.; and characterization technique. Later, we will focus on two related applications for chitosan nanoformulation in pharmaceutical research, which are antimicrobial and wound healing effect either alone or in combination with another active ingredient potentiating its effect. The mechanism of action and factors affecting its application will be discussed thoroughly with a focus on wound healing process and mechanisms, namely, hemostasis, antimicrobial effect, anti-inflammatory, angiogenesis, antioxidant, collagen deposition, and wound closure rate acceleration. It is concluded that the applications of chitosan nanoformulation as antimicrobial and wound healing agents have great potential and opportunities.