Chitosan (CS) derivatives are widely used in various biomedical applications due to their unique properties like biocompatibility, mucoadhesion, non-toxicity and capability to form gels. Furthermore, they are suitable candidates to manufacture films, tablets and nanotechnology-based systems which have the possibility for commercial production as well as industrial scale-up. CS has a low solubility at physiological pH (>6.0), thus limiting its application in systems needing higher solubility and drug release rate. Another drawback of CS is its fast water adsorption and high swelling degree in aqueous media, which can cause rapid drug release. Chemical modification of two hydroxyl and one amino groups existing on the CS chains using the carboxymethyl moieties will alter the CS properties. The water solubility of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) at various pH environments is governed by the carboxymethylation degree. The CMC derivatives can interact with cells which successfully result in cell growth/tissue regeneration and wound healing. They are also employed in the cosmetics production because of their moisture absorption–retention, antimicrobial and emulsion stabilizing characteristics. This work will highlight the most recent applications of CMC derivatives with antimicrobial, anticancer, antitumor, antioxidant and antifungal biological activities in various areas like wound healing, tissue engineering, drug/enzyme delivery, bioimaging and cosmetics.

壳聚糖（CS）衍生物因其独特的特性（如生物相容性，粘膜粘附性，无毒性和形成凝胶的能力）而广泛用于各种生物医学应用中。此外，它们是制造薄膜，片剂和基于纳米技术的系统的合适候选者，这些系统可能用于商业生产以及工业规模化生产。CS在生理pH值（> 6.0）时具有较低的溶解度，因此限制了其在需要更高溶解度和药物释放速率的系统中的应用。CS的另一个缺点是其快速的水吸附和在水性介质中的高溶胀度，这可以引起药物的快速释放。使用羧甲基部分化学修饰CS链上存在的两个羟基和一个氨基会改变CS性能。羧甲基壳聚糖（CMC）在各种pH环境下的水溶性受羧甲基化程度的控制。CMC衍生物可以与细胞相互作用，从而成功地导致细胞生长/组织再生和伤口愈合。它们还具有吸湿，保水，抗菌和乳化稳定的特性，因此也被用于化妆品生产中。这项工作将重点介绍具有抗菌，抗癌，抗肿瘤，抗氧化剂和抗真菌生物活性的CMC衍生物在伤口愈合，组织工程，药物/酶递送，生物成像和化妆品等各个领域的最新应用。CMC衍生物可以与细胞相互作用，从而成功地导致细胞生长/组织再生和伤口愈合。它们还具有吸湿，保水，抗菌和乳化稳定的特性，因此也被用于化妆品生产中。这项工作将重点介绍具有抗菌，抗癌，抗肿瘤，抗氧化剂和抗真菌生物活性的CMC衍生物在伤口愈合，组织工程，药物/酶递送，生物成像和化妆品等各个领域的最新应用。CMC衍生物可以与细胞相互作用，从而成功地导致细胞生长/组织再生和伤口愈合。它们还具有吸湿，保水，抗菌和乳化稳定的特性，因此也被用于化妆品生产中。这项工作将重点介绍具有抗菌，抗癌，抗肿瘤，抗氧化剂和抗真菌生物活性的CMC衍生物在伤口愈合，组织工程，药物/酶递送，生物成像和化妆品等各个领域的最新应用。