Investigation of the Effect of Adding Chitosan on the Skin Deposition of Activated Charcoal in Male Rat Model

Activated carbon (charcoal) is a group of high-porosity carbonaceous materials that are highly
regarded due to their high adsorption capacity, especially the absorption of toxins in the body. On the other hand,
some studies have shown that the combination of activated charcoal with certain substances increases its
adsorption cost. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of adding chitosan on the skin deposition of
activated charcoal in rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 15 adult male Wistar rats were divided into three groups of four and one
group of three. In the first group, chitosan topical gel, in the second group, chitosan topical gel containing 5%
activated charcoal, and in the third group, the gel containing activated charcoal was rubbed to the skin surface of
the posterior part of the rats' trunk area measuring one cm2, for ten days. The fourth group did not receive any
treatment during the study period. Finally, the treated area of skin was cut locally and was stained using
hematoxylin-eosin, and the amount of activated charcoal uptake was determined and compared.
Findings: The mean accumulation and penetration of activated charcoal was 23.0 ± 7.3 and 18.0 ± 4.9 in the
groups of activated charcoal plus chitosan and activated charcoal only, respectively, and there was no
statistically significant difference between the two groups. The highest accumulation and penetration of activated
charcoal was observed in the group of activated charcoal plus chitosan.
Conclusion: Activated charcoal in the presence of chitosan gel can pass through the horny and granulosa
stratums of the rats’ skin. Therefore, in cases of need to more absorption, this combination can be useful.