Hydroxypropyl Chitosan: A "Green Star Material" Transitioning From The Lab To Multifaceted Applications

In recent years, hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPCS), a key water-soluble derivative of chitosan, has attracted growing attention in fields such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and environmental protection due to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and multifunctional properties. Numerous research studies and practical applications have emerged accordingly.

In the pharmaceutical field, HPCS demonstrates significant application potential. According to public literature, it has already been registered with China's National Medical Products Administration (CDE) as a pharmaceutical excipient. Studies show that sustained-release microspheres formed by combining HPCS with resveratrol achieve a cumulative release rate of up to 72% within 12 hours, with relative bioavailability increasing to 540% compared to the original drug. Moreover, its self-healing hydrogels and thermosensitive characteristics—exhibiting a critical dissolution temperature around 37°C—make it highly promising for wound healing, burn treatment, and intelligent drug delivery systems. When combined with oxidized hyaluronic acid into injectable hydrogels, it shows remarkable tumor suppression effects in liver cancer therapy when used in conjunction with photothermal therapy.

In the cosmetics industry, HPCS has become a "star ingredient" thanks to its superior moisturizing, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. The hydroxyl and amino groups in its molecule form a hydrated layer that locks in moisture and inhibits the growth of *Cutibacterium acnes*, supporting the development of anti-acne and sensitive skin care products.

In environmental applications, HPCS is utilized for removing heavy metal ions from wastewater due to its excellent adsorption and crosslinking capabilities. Research indicates that crosslinked forms of HPCS can achieve an adsorption efficiency exceeding 92% for Cr(VI), while also being reusable, offering clear cost advantages.

Industry experts point out that with ongoing process optimization and industrialization, this "green multifunctional material" holds great promise for broader applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, green manufacturing, and sustainable development.