Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the research and application of liver targeting chitosan drug nano-carrier system.
METHODS: Wanfang database were searched on computer to retrieve articles addressing the liver targeting chitosan drug nanocarrier, published between December 2002 and February 2010, using key words of “chitosan drug nanocarrier, liver target, research, application” in Chinese. Repeated study, normal review or Meta analysis were excluded. Eighteen literatures screened were included.
RESULTS: Chitosan nanoparticles are a natural non-toxic, non-viral drug carrier, have good biocompatibility and biodegradability, can improve the stability of drugs, targeted release drugs, increase drug absorption, so as to play the role of controlled release and targeted therapy. Drug-loaded chitosan nanoparticles can be prepared by 8 methods, including ionic crosslinking method, precipitation method, ultrasonic emulsification method, microemulsion method, electrostatic spinning method, inverse suspension crosslinking method, reverse evaporation-short ultrasonic method, reduced amination. For liver tissue engineering such as liver transplantation and artificial liver, it can maintain and enhance the activity and function of liver cells, is conducive to the growth of liver cells; targeted release drugs at the tumor site in liver cancer treatment, effectively inhibit tumor cells and reduce toxicity.
CONCLUSION: The liver targeting chitosan drug nanocarrier is a safe and efficient gene targeting vector, but it needs to be further determined.