Synthesis and Characterization of Biologically Active Chitosan Sulfates

Abstract

Synthesis and structural characterization of chitosan sulfates (CHS) showing biological activities are reported. CHS with diverse total degrees of sulfation (DSS) in the range of 1.1-1.77 and distinct distributions of sulfate groups were synthesized under homogeneous or non-homogeneous conditions. The sulfate groups were located primarily at 6-O-position as well as at 3-O-position. No sulfation at 2-N-position was detected. The measurements of molecular weights of CHS showed that obtained products are polydisperse. Their molecular weights decrease with longer reaction time or higher reaction temperature. The synthesized CHS did not show significant toxicity to 3T3-L1 fibroblast cells. Subsequently, the effects of CHS on the mitogenic activity of FGF2 and osteogenic activity of BMP2 were investigated.