PLGA-Based Composites for Various Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Polymeric materials have been extensively explored in the field of nanomedicine; within them, poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) holds a prominent position in micro- and nanotechnology due to its biocompatibility and controllable biodegradability. In this review we focus on the combination of PLGA with different inorganic nanomaterials in the form of nanocomposites to overcome the polymer's limitations and extend its field of applications. We discuss their physicochemical properties and a variety of well-established synthesis methods for the preparation of different PLGA-based materials. Recent progress in the design and biomedical applications of PLGA-based materials are thoroughly discussed to provide a framework for future research.

Keywords: PLGA; biomedical applications; composites; inorganic nanoparticles; scaffolds.

Figure 1

Different types of PLGA/INP nanocomposites: (a) plasmonic; (b) magnetic; (c) multifunctional (more than one inorganic compound); and (d) other nanocomposites.

Figure 2

Illustration of (a) the double emulsion ESE method (b) the nanoprecipitation method and (c) the ESD method.

Figure 3

Illustration of (a) the electrospinning process and (b) the single emulsion ESE method as well as the further coating of the particles.

Figure 4

(a) Schematic representation of the applications of plasmonic PLGA NPs by Fazio et al. [95]. (b) Cumulative release from plasmonic PLGA NPs with and without laser irradiation. Reproduced with permission from ref. [95]. Copyright (2015), Royal Society of Chemistry. (c) Cytotoxicity of PLGA@AuNPs-VP by Deng et al. in PANC-1 cells after 5 min of 405 nm laser illumination. The molar ratios of Au and VP molecules in PLGA samples were 0:1 and 5:1, respectively. Adapted from ref. [94]. Copyright (2016), Royal Society of Chemistry.

Figure 5

(a) Schematic representation of the applications of magnetic PLGA MPs by Lu et al. [121]. (b) Dual-modal PA/MRI imaging ability of magnetic PLGA MPs. Reproduced with permission from ref. [121]. Copyright (2018), Public Library of Science.

Figure 6

(a) Schematic representation of the applications of the AuNR vesicles from Song et al. [96]. (b) Photographs of the tumor-bearing mice at days 0, 1, 5 and 8 after being treated with the AuNR vesicles. Reproduced with permission from [95]. Copyright (2015), Wiley VCH. C. (c) Cell viability of (i) HeLa and (ii) MDA-MB-231cells after 24 h of incubation in the absence and presence of NIR light irradiation. Reproduced with permission from [97]. Copyright (2015), Wiley VCH; dual-mode imaging in vivo. (d) T₁-weighted MR images and (e) X-ray CT images of (i) control, (ii) 4 h and (iii) 8 h after treatment. Reproduced with permission from [175]. Copyright (2017), Dovepress. * p < 0.05.