Chitosan oligosaccharide: Biological activities and potential therapeutic applications

Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) is an oligomer of β-(1 ➔ 4)-linked d-glucosamine. COS can be prepared from the deacetylation and hydrolysis of chitin, which is commonly found in the exoskeletons of arthropods and insects and the cell walls of fungi. COS is water soluble, non-cytotoxic, readily absorbed through the intestine and mainly excreted in the urine. Of particular importance, COS and its derivatives have been demonstrated to possess...