Properties and degradation of selected polysaccharides: hyaluronan and chitosan

Abstract

The main techniques proposed for characterisation of two important polysaccharides, chitosan and hyaluronan, which may have great importance as biomaterials, are described. The main properties obtained in aqueous phase are described for each of them; it is pointed out that they behave as semirigid polymer giving good films and good thickening effect. They are rich in -OH groups allowing chemical modifications to modify their physical properties. They are polyelectrolytes and can form electrostatic complexes; especially hyaluronan/chitosan complexes are recognised to be promising systems (also allowing multilayer capsule formation) for biomedical applications and drug release. The different causes of degradation are exposed in relation with their biodegradability and their susceptibility to sterilisation.

Rheologic Behavior of Osteoarthritic Synovial Fluid after Addition of Hyaluronic Acid: A Pilot Study

“…Inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases, mainly OA, are responsive to modifications of the SF characterized by a decrease in the amount of HA molecules of high molecular weight and in the concentration of HA at least partly as a result of exudation [9,55]. The mechanisms of degradation of HA have been described [3,41,45,[49][50][51]. These changes reduce the viscoelasticity of the SF and its ability to protect the joint [5,6,21].…”

Research on a novel chitosan microsphere/scaffold system by double crosslinkers

“…The presence of vitriolic acid also had an effect on the mechanical properties of the composite system. pH value was maintained with the contribution of he −NH 2 groups of the external CS 22) . Regardless of the mechanism, the addition of vitriolic acid made it possible to tailor both the mechanical properties and degradation rate of the CMs.…”

Polyelectrolyte properties of a plant and animal polysaccharide

“…In view of applications in the biological domain, polyelectrolyte complexation was studied on HA/chitosan mixture in relation with their good biocompatibility and biodegradability in the body [53,54]. An example is given where it was proposed to encapsulate drugs and prepare release controlled particles [55].…”