Polylactic acid (PLA)-based materials: a review on the synthesis and drug delivery applications

Controlled drug release is an important aspect of biomedical applications of polymer materials. Polylactic acid (PLA)-based materials have been thoroughly researched for biomedical applications, owing to their attractive properties. Here, the advancements in the preparation and application of PLA-based polymers for drug delivery are reviewed. In addition to discussing the potentials of the PLA-based materials for drug delivery, the production techniques and various geometries of the drug carriers are also covered. The review has established that several drugs, including ibuprofen, amphotericin B, paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, ketoprofen, rifampicin, salinomycin, ciprofloxacin, and ornidazole, have been successfully loaded into and released from PLA-based materials. Due to the hydrophobic nature of PLA, its modification to accommodate both the hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs is emphasized in the literature.