Melatonin/Chitosan Biomaterials for Wound Healing and Beyond: A Multifunctional Therapeutic Approach

Abstract

Chitosan is increasingly utilized in combination with melatonin in novel formulations for a wide range of therapeutic applications. As a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, chitosan exhibits notable properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, moisturizing, and absorption capabilities, in addition to a high potential for chemical modification due to its functional groups. These characteristics make it a valuable material in biomedical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food packaging, and environmental applications. Melatonin, an indoleamine primarily synthesized in the pineal gland but also found in various peripheral organs and in diverse organisms—including plants, bacteria, and fungi—has been extensively investigated for its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as its roles in immunomodulation, mitochondrial function, and melanin biosynthesis. This review summarizes recent advances in the combined use of chitosan and melatonin, with emphasis on their synergistic effects in wound healing, anti-cancer therapies, tissue engineering (i.e., skin and bone regeneration), and drug delivery systems. Additional potential applications are discussed in the context of cosmetology, aesthetic medicine, and veterinary practice.