Methods and compositions for treating wounds utilizing chitosan compounds

Abstract

Described herein are methods of treating wounds, the method comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a soluble or derivatized chitosan wherein the soluble or derivatized chitosan when administered contacts the wound, thereby treating the wound.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of treating a subject having a chronic disease or a symptom of thereof, the method comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a soluble or derivatized chitosan, wherein the derivatized chitosan comprises a chitosan of the following formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein: 
         n is an integer between 20 and 6000; and 
         each R 1  is independently selected for each occurrence from hydrogen, acetyl, and a group of formula (II): 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         or R 1 , when taken together with the nitrogen to which it is attached, forms a guanidine moiety, 
         wherein R 2  is hydrogen or amino; and 
         R 3  is amino, guanidino, C 1 -C 6  alkyl substituted with an amino or guanidino moiety, or a natural or unnatural amino acid side chain, 
         wherein at least 25% of R 1  substituents are H, at least 1% of R 1  substituents are acetyl, and at least 2% of R 1  substituents are a group of formula (II), and 
         wherein the molecular weight of the derivatized chitosan is between about 10,000 and 350,000 Da, 
         thereby treating the subject. 
       
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein each R 1  is independently selected for each occurrence from a group of formula (II): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the chronic disease is selected from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypothyroidism, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatic encephalopathy, peritonitis, periodontitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, sepsis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the subject has been treated or is being treated with a cancer therapy or an immunosuppressive therapy. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition is administered to the subject prior to the cancer therapy or immunosuppressive therapy. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the symptom of a chronic disease comprises a wound. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the wound is a wound with poor or slow healing. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the wound is caused by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunosuppressive therapy, chemical damage, biological damage, radiological damage, or immunodeficiency. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition decreases the magnitude or extent of scarring. 
     
     
         11 . A method of treating a wound in a subject, the method comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a soluble or derivatized chitosan, wherein the derivatized chitosan comprises a chitosan of the following formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein: 
         n is an integer between 20 and 6000; and 
         each R 1  is independently selected for each occurrence from hydrogen, acetyl, and a group of formula (II): 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         or R 1 , when taken together with the nitrogen to which it is attached, forms a guanidine moiety, 
         wherein R 2  is hydrogen or amino; and 
         R 3  is amino, guanidino, C 1 -C 6  alkyl substituted with an amino or guanidino moiety, or a natural or unnatural amino acid side chain, 
         wherein at least 25% of R 1  substituents are H, at least 1% of R 1  substituents are acetyl, and at least 2% of R 1  substituents are a group of formula (II), and 
         wherein the molecular weight of the derivatized chitosan is between about 10,000 and 350,000 Da, 
         thereby treating the subject. 
       
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each R 1  is independently selected for each occurrence from a group of formula (II): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the wound is an acute wound or a chronic wound. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the wound is affects the skin, muscle, bone, or blood vessels. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the wound is a burn or an ulcer. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the wound is in the epidermis, dermis, hypodermis, a mucosal membrane, or the eye. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the wound resulted from an infection. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the wound is a wound with poor or slow healing. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition decreases the inflammation associated with the wound or healing of the wound. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition reduces the healing time or increases the healing rate of the wound. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the wound is caused by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunosuppressive therapy, chemical damage, biological damage, radiological damage, or immunodeficiency. 
     
     
         22 . A method of treating a subject who has suffered chemical, biological, or radiological injury, or has been affected or is being affected by a warfare agent, the method comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a soluble or derivatized chitosan, wherein the derivatized chitosan comprises a chitosan of the following formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein: 
         n is an integer between 20 and 6000; and 
         each R 1  is independently selected for each occurrence from hydrogen, acetyl, and a group of formula (II): 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         or R 1 , when taken together with the nitrogen to which it is attached, forms a guanidine moiety, 
         wherein R 2  is hydrogen or amino; and 
         R 3  is amino, guanidino, C 1 -C 6  alkyl substituted with an amino or guanidino moiety, or a natural or unnatural amino acid side chain, 
         wherein at least 25% of R 1  substituents are H, at least 1% of R 1  substituents are acetyl, and at least 2% of R 1  substituents are a group of formula (II), and 
         wherein the molecular weight of the derivatized chitosan is between about 10,000 and 350,000 Da, 
         thereby treating the subject.