Degradation behavior and drug release synchronicity of biodegradable polylactic acid hydroxyacetic acid copolymer (PLGA) surface drug-loaded coating

Abstract

Biodegradable polymeric coatings improve metallic implant biofunctionality through sustained drug delivery. While Poly (Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid) (PLGA) is widely used for its biocompatibility, synchronizing polymer degradation with drug release remains a critical challenge to prevent premature drug loss or insufficient efficacy. This research aimed to examine the degradation behavior and release synchronicity of paclitaxel-loaded PLGA coatings on Ti-6Al-4V substrates. Researchers utilized dip-coating for fabrication, characterizing the samples via Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Degradation was evaluated through mass loss and molecular weight evolution in physiological conditions, while hemocompatibility was assessed via platelet adhesion. Results demonstrated that drug incorporation significantly influenced structural and thermal properties. Notably, the research found a near-perfect linear correlation between the reduction in molecular weight [Formula: see text], mass loss [Formula: see text] and cumulative drug release, confirming synchronized kinetics. Furthermore, the coatings exhibited excellent hemocompatibility with minimal platelet activation. In conclusion, these synchronized PLGA coatings provide a reliable, multifunctional platform for long-term therapeutic delivery in next-generation medical implants.