Therapeutic effects of chitosan in veterinary dermatology: A systematic review of the literature

Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide with biocompatibility, biodegradability, nontoxicity, antimicrobial, and hemostatic properties. This biopolymer has been used in different pharmaceutical forms; therefore, it has an attractive potential for dermal applications in veterinary medicine. The aim of this review is to assess the healing potential of chitosan, based on its dermatological effects on animals, to enrich the therapeutic options of veterinary clinicians. A systematic review was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) strategy, retrieving 1,032 studies and selecting 39 after the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. The studies included reports with confirmed positive effects (n = 46/99, 46.5 %) (P < 0.05), with positive effects (n = 49.5/99, 49.5 %), and with no effect (n = 4/99, 4 %); none of the studies reported adverse effects. There is an association between frequency of application and a decrease in healing time (P = 0.038); applying chitosan “every 48−72 hours” was the most recommended frequency (n = 10/19, 52.9 %). Chitosan, when applied to skin lesions on animals, produces positive effects on healing, potentially becoming a safe biomaterial for skin treatments in veterinary practice. As an initial protocol, we suggest applying chitosan every 48–72 hours for at least 2 weeks (7 applications).