Anti-Obesity Effects of Chitosan and Its Derivatives

Abstract

The number of obese people in the world is rising, leading to an increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders. The search for medications including natural compounds for the prevention of obesity is an urgent task. Chitosan polysaccharide obtained through the deacetylation of chitin, and its derivatives, including short-chain oligosaccharides (COS), have hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant properties. Chemical modifications of chitosan can produce derivatives with increased solubility under neutral conditions, making them potential therapeutic substances for use in the treatment of metabolic disorders. Multiple studies both in animals and clinical trials have demonstrated that chitosan improves the gut microbiota, restores intestinal barrier dysfunction, and regulates thermogenesis and lipid metabolism. However, the effect of chitosan is rather mild, especially if used for a short periods, and is mostly independent of chitosan’s physical characteristics. We hypothesized that the major mechanism of chitosan’s anti-obesity effect is its flocculant properties, enabling it to collect the chyme in the gastrointestinal tract and facilitating the removal of extra food. This review summarizes the results of the use of COS, chitosan, and its derivatives in obesity control in terms of pathways of action and structural activity.

Transdermal microneedle patches as a promising drug delivery system for anti-obesogenic molecules

“…In this way, an improved anti-obesogenic activity can result from the combination effect of the microneedles material, the delivery system, and the anti-obesogenic drug. For example, chitosan, chitooligosaccharides, and chitosan-derivates have demonstrated anti-obesogenic effects through different mechanisms: inhibition of PPAR-γ, stimulation of glucokinase, reduction of leptin, adiponectin, and resistin levels, inhibition of adipogenesis, lipid metabolism modulation, and suppression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase ( Shagdarova et al, 2023 ). However, their use in MP has not been explored yet.…”

New Insights into Sources, Bioavailability, Health-Promoting Effects, and Applications of Chitin and Chitosan

“…Chitin exposure has effects on T-helper responses during fungal infections. The balance between Th1 and Th2 responses becomes crucial, with chitin potentially contributing to harmful Th2 cell differentiation, thereby influencing disease outcomes . These substances have been observed to reduce IgE levels and modulate cytokine profiles, indicating a role in mitigating allergic reactions.…”

“…The balance between Th1 and Th2 responses becomes crucial, with chitin potentially contributing to harmful Th2 cell differentiation, thereby influencing disease outcomes. 30 These substances have been observed to reduce IgE levels and modulate cytokine profiles, indicating a role in mitigating allergic reactions. Mammals express chitinases, namely, Chit1 and AMCase, which actively participate in modulating immune responses.…”

Silver Nanoparticles-Chitosan Nanocomposites: A Comparative Study Regarding Different Chemical Syntheses Procedures and Their Antibacterial Effect

“…Chitosan is a linear polysaccharide which has randomly β-(1-4)-linked D-glucosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine groups in its structure [ 21 , 22 ]. It is a natural polymer obtained through the chitin deacetylation, an important component in crustaceans and shells [ 23 , 24 ].…”

“…Also, they have a high absorption rate; therefore, films, sponges, and hydrogels can be manufactured using chemical or green chemical syntheses. Chitosan found applications in many domains such as in treatments for obesity [ 21 ], for dentistry [ 28 ], in drug delivery for improved encapsulation [ 29 ], in soft tissue engineering as gels for regeneration of skin or epithelium reconstruction [ 30 , 31 ] and in antibacterial applications together with AgNPs [ 32 , 33 ].…”