Chondroitin Sulfate as a Bioactive Carbohydrate: Design of Nanoplatforms for Drug Delivery, Tissue Engineering, and Disease Therapy

Abstract Chondroitin sulfate (CS), a sulfated glycosaminoglycan, has attracted considerable attention in nanomedicine owing to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and intrinsic bioactivity. Recent advances in CS-based nanoplatforms, including nanogels, nanoparticles, hydrogels, and other drug delivery systems, have enabled targeted drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine applications. These multifunctional systems facilitate controlled drug release, enhance cellular uptake, and regulate key biological processes such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Beyond their roles in material design, CS-based nanoplatforms have demonstrated promising preclinical potential in cancer therapy, osteoarthritis, periodontitis, cartilage regeneration, wound healing, ophthalmic disorders, liver fibrosis, and neurodegenerative diseases. This review first discusses the design principles and functional characteristics of CS-based material platforms followed by their therapeutic applications in tissue engineering and disease treatment. Finally, the current challenges, translational perspectives, and future opportunities for the clinical development of CS-based nanoplatforms are highlighted.