**4.4 Chitosan as an oral delivery vehicle for therapeutics**

As mentioned in sections 4.1 and 4.2, extensive research presented the potential of chitosan as an oral absorption enhancer owing to its mucoadhesive properties and ability to loosen tight junctions within the GI epithelia, hence permitting the passage of macromolecular therapeutics across a "well-organised" epithelia [100]. Moreover, due to various characteristics; i.e. non-toxic, biodegradable, biocompatible, antimicrobial property etc. [104], chitosan NP hold promise as a suitable oral delivery vehicle for a wide spectrum of therapeutics including, anti-cancer drugs, antibacterial agents, polyphenolic compounds and protein drugs.
