Russian scientists developed synthesised compound able to become basis for new antibiotics

Chitosan is a derivative of the natural polymer chitin, a key element of the arthropod exoskeleton, and the synthesised compound of chitosan asparaginate nanoparticles can become the basis for a number of new drugs, including antibiotics, RIA Novosti reports

As noted by the authors of the development, nanoparticles of chitosan and L-aspartic acid compounds have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effects, and the substance is capable of showing antitoxic, immune-stimulating and anti-inflammatory activity in some conditions.

The research team has developed a new unique method to obtain nanoparticles. "The addition of nanoparticles of our compound led to the mass death of Staphylococcus, E.coli and other gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In the future, we intend to use these properties to develop new antibiotics," the scientists said, adding that their compound is fully compatible with blood cells and other body tissues. Biotesting has shown that chitosan nanoparticles are able to accelerate the growth of connective tissue cells several times.

"Our results suggest that chitosan asparaginate nanoparticles can be widely used in the creation of fundamentally new types of dosage forms and vaccines, and will also be in demand in various biological and pharmacological technologies," Anna Shipovskaya, the Professor of Physical Chemistry, Head of the Department of Polymers at Saratov State University’s Akripol JSC, explained.