Methods and compositions for treating wounds utilizing chitosan compounds
Described herein are methods of treating wounds, the method comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a soluble or derivatized chitosan wherein the soluble or derivatized chitosan when administered contacts the wound, thereby treating the wound.
1. A method of treating mucositis or ulceration in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the method comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a soluble or derivatized chitosan, wherein the derivatized chitosan comprises a chitosan of the following formula (I):
wherein:
n is an integer between 20 and 6000; and
each R 1 is independently selected for each occurrence from hydrogen, acetyl, and a group of formula (II):
wherein at least 25% of R 1 substituents are H, at least 1% of R 1 substituents are acetyl, and 4-30% of R 1 substituents are a group of formula (II),
thereby treating mucositis or ulceration.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition reduces the healing time or increases the healing rate of the mucositis or ulceration.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mucositis or ulceration is associated with inflammation and the composition decreases the inflammation upon administration.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered topically or orally.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the molecular weight of the functionalized chitosan is between 5,000 and 1,000,000 Da.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject has been exposed to radiation or chemotherapy.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mucositis or ulceration is the result of a wound.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the wound is infected.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the wound is a result of an acute or chronic infection.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mucositis or ulceration occurs in the mouth, tongue, throat, esophagus, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, colon, or rectum.