Developments in Microfluidics-Enabled Stimuli-Responsive Chitosan Micro/Nanoparticles for Precision Drug and Biomolecule Delivery Publisher



Sabet GS ; Ebrahimiverkiani A ; Rahmanian M ; Naghib SM ; Rabiee N
Source: Nano-Structures and Nano-Objects Published:2026

Abstract

Microfluidics technology, a burgeoning field capitalizing on the unique properties of fluids at micro and nanoliter scales, has emerged as a powerful tool. Its promise lies in reducing costs and time, and its applications span across biology, medicine, chemistry, engineering, and materials science. Among these domains, microfluidics has taken center stage in shaping the landscape of drug administration regulation, captivating the attention of researchers. Advancements in scientific knowledge have paved the way for remarkable improvements in drug delivery systems, enhancing the efficacy of treatments. However, the choice of materials remains pivotal. Polysaccharides like chitosan, alginate, hyaluronic acid, and agarose have emerged as prime candidates for drug delivery systems. They possess attributes such as abundance in nature, high biocompatibility, affordability, and ease of modification, making them highly attractive to researchers. Chitosan exhibited promising properties as a carrier agent in drug delivery and it is one of the polymers with cationic properties, making it unique among other polymers. This cationic character based on primary amino groups is responsible for its various properties and subsequent use in drug delivery systems. This article focuses on chitosan among these polysaccharides. This comprehensive review explores the diverse applications of microfluidics-assisted drug delivery systems using chitosan micro/nano particles for precision drug release. The primary objective is to provide an in-depth examination of recent research breakthroughs in the field, particularly emphasizing the design and development of high-performance delivery systems employing microfluidics-based stimuli-responsive chitosan. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.