Chitosan nanoparticles, as biological macromolecule-based drug delivery systems to improve the healing potential of artificial neural guidance channels: A review.

The healing potential of artificial neural guidance channels (NGCs) can be improved by various approaches such as seeding them with supporting cells, the incorporation of various cues, and modification with different fabrication methods. Recently, the therapeutic appeal towards the use of drug-delivering NGCs has increased. In this framework, neuroprotective agents are incorporated into the structure of NGCs using different techniques. Among available methods, nanoparticle-based drug carriers offer numerous advantages over other formulations such as controlled drug release, targeted delivery, high encapsulation efficacy, and high surface to volume ratio. Chitosan nanoparticles have different interesting features for drug delivery applications. These nanocarriers are biocompatible, biodegradable, non-immunogenic, stable, and possess tunable properties. In the current review, applications, challenges, and future perspectives of drug-loaded chitosan nanoparticles to augment the healing potential of NGCs will be discussed.