Chitosan-based pulmonary particulate systems for anticancer and antiviral drug carriers: A promising delivery for COVID-19 vaccines

Chitosan (CHI) has antimicrobial and anticancer characteristics in addition to being biodegradable and biocompatible as a polymer. It has recently attracted a lot of attention as a potential drug carrier framework material for pulmonary therapeutic transport, particularly in the context of treating infectious diseases and cancer. CHI mucoadhesive, permeation-enhancing, and site-and cell-specific properties all play a key role in the therapeutic carrier's efficacy in the pulmonary circulation. Numerous microencapsulation and micro-nanomixing techniques have been developed to provide nanocarriers with the proper aerodynamic profile for effective pulmonary aerosolization and inhalation. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and cancer are the out-comes of a subsequent infection with COVID-19. The effectiveness of anti-CoV and anticancer treatments using CHI and its derivatives varies with molecular weight, substituent type, and degree of substitution. From the viewpoint of drug delivery (DD), in addition to its therapeutic performance, CHI is anticipated to attract more attention throughout the coming decade.