Table 1.

Selected studies on utilization of chitosan composites for drug delivery applications.

Name of chitosan composites	Purpose of utilization	Findings
Chitosan-based responsive hybrid nanogels	Integration of optical pH-sensing	Chitosan-based responsive hybrid nanogels exhibit a nonreversible pH-sensitive property and a significant cytotoxicity after 24 h treatment. It is critical to construct highly stable biopolymer-hybrid nanogel quantum dots [43].
Chitosan–zinc–pectin composite	Delivery of resveratrol to the colon	Formulation prepared at pH 1.5, 1% chitosan, 120 min cross-linking time, and pectin/drug ratio of 3:1 demonstrated the best colon-specific drug release [79].
Chitosan oligomer–zidovudine composite	Prevents disappearance of Zidovudine in human plasma and prolong its shelf life	The study indicated longer mean retention time for chitosan oligomer–zidovudine composite with values of about 1.5 h vs. 0.59 h for zidovudine alone. Chitosan oligomer–zidovudine composite was had a shelf life of 12 h [66].
Chitosan–sodium alginate tablet	Vaginal delivery of chlorhexidine digluconate	Tablet containing 6% chitosan, 24% sodium alginate gave the best result of drug release [70].
Chitosan–cyclosporin A	Management of extraocular diseases	Enhancement of therapeutic index of clinically challenging drugs with potential application at extraocular level and achievement of fast drug release and therapeutic concentrations in external ocular tissues during a period of 24 h [122].
Chitosan–polyelectrolyte films	Delivery of drug for skin	The films gave significantly different drug release and drug permeation through the skin [123].