Sahini, Mtabazi G.2024-08-192024-08-192023Sahini, M. G. (2023). Polylactic acid (PLA)-based materials: a review on the synthesis and drug delivery applications. Emergent Materials, 6(5), 1461-1479.URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42247-023-00551-7https://repository.udom.ac.tz/handle/20.500.12661/4737Abstract. Full text available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42247-023-00551-7Controlled 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.enPolylactic acidControlled drug releasePolylactic acid materialsDrug synthesisDrug deliveryArticle10.1007/s42247-023-00551-7