Chitosan as a Natural Radioprotector – From Basic Research to Modern Applications

Chitosan is no longer just an interesting biopolymer for the food or wound healing sectors. It is gaining attention in many other fields as well – particularly due to its radical scavenging, hematopoietic, and cytoprotective properties. One of the most promising areas of application: radioprotection, i.e., the protection of tissue from damage caused by ionizing radiation.

As early as 2003, a pioneering study by Nishimura et al. demonstrated chitosan’s ability to significantly improve survival rates in sub-lethally irradiated mice. Mice fed a chitosan-containing diet (5% insoluble chitosan) for 40 days survived exposure to 7 Gy radiation significantly more often than control animals. This effect was attributed to a combination of radical scavenging, stimulation of blood cell regeneration, and enhancement of spleen function.

Results from the classical foundational study (Nishimura et al., 2003):

• Survival rate: +20% in the chitosan group
• Faster recovery of leukocytes, platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit
• Increased spleen activity: Spleen-to-body ratio significantly higher
• Hydroxyl radical scavenging: Chitosan reduced ·OH radicals in vitro by up to 80%

These findings were long considered "interesting but difficult to translate" – but recent research shows: chitosan is more than a nutritional additive. It is a versatile bioactive compound with concrete therapeutic potential.

Modern Studies (2020–2025): Rethinking Chitosan

1. Chitosan microspheres against radiation-induced lung injury (2023)
Researchers developed crocin-loaded chitosan microspheres that remain in the lungs after intravenous administration. In a mouse model, they prevented inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue damage post-irradiation. The ~10 µm microspheres were modified with 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid for lung targeting.

2. Chitosan–curcumin films as radiation-triggered drug carriers (2020)
A research team showed that gamma radiation selectively breaks down chitosan films to release curcumin – a potential "on-demand drug delivery" system for radiotherapy (Chauhan et al., 2020).

3. Chitosan–fucoidan nanoparticles for intestinal protection (2020)
In an animal model of gastrointestinal irradiation, chitosan nanoparticles reduced mucosal damage and oxidative stress, and preserved intestinal villi integrity.

4. Protection of salivary glands during head and neck irradiation (2025)
A recent study (2025) demonstrated that chitosan nanoparticles significantly reduced oxidative damage in the parotid glands, lowered inflammatory markers, and improved survival rates.

5. Functional chitosan chelators for radioactive decorporation (2024)
Chitosan was modified with chelating ligands (e.g., DOTAGA) to bind and remove orally ingested radioactive metals such as Cs⁺, Sr²⁺, and UO₂²⁺ in the gastrointestinal tract – a novel protective measure for nuclear incidents.

Conclusion
From early nutritional studies using dietary chitosan to high-functionality medical delivery systems: chitosan is showing more promise than ever as a natural, biocompatible radioprotector. Whether in pharmaceutical research, clinical application, or preventive measures – the future of chitosan lies not just in coatings, but in cell protection.

At Heppe Medical Chitosan, we provide high-purity, GMP-certified chitosan with defined DDA, MW, and traceable origin – ideal for preclinical studies, product development, and clinical-pharmaceutical applications.

Talk to our team – we’ll help you find the right chitosan for your application.

Sources
Nishimura, Y. et al. (2003). Radioprotective Effect of Chitosan in Sub-lethally X-ray Irradiated Mice. Journal of Radiation Research, 44(1), 53–58. DOI: 10.1269/jrr.44.53
Hanmyou, K. et al. (1999). The radical scavenging activity of pectic oligosaccharides and chitosan evaluated by ESR. J. Nursing Toyama Med. Pharm. Univ., 2: 48–57.
Kim, J. et al. (2023). Crocin-loaded chitosan microspheres mitigate radiation-induced lung injury in mice. PubMed ID: 36781279
Chauhan, D. S. et al. (2020). Gamma-triggered drug release from chitosan–curcumin films: a radiation-responsive system. RSC Advances, 10, 10778–10785. DOI: 10.1039/D0RA00144A
Chen, Y. et al. (2020). Protective effect of chitosan–fucoidan nanoparticles on radiation-induced intestinal injury. PubMed ID: 32081800
Ahmed, F. et al. (2025). Chitosan nanoparticles protect salivary glands from irradiation-induced oxidative stress. Cell Biochem Biophys. DOI: 10.1007/s12668-025-01903-9
Nguyen, H. et al. (2024). Functionalized chitosan chelators for gastrointestinal decorporation of radionuclides. PubMed ID: 38568898