Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres with good biocompatibility

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Curcumin and icariin possess valuable pharmacological properties but suffer from poor bioavailability and solubility.
• Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres offer a solution to overcome these limitations.
• PLGA microspheres are known for their non-toxicity and controlled degradation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare and characterize PLGA microspheres loaded with curcumin and icariin.
• To evaluate the biocompatibility and drug release profiles of these novel drug delivery systems.
• To explore the potential applications of these microspheres in tissue engineering.

Main Methods:

• Emulsification-solvent evaporation method was employed for PLGA microsphere preparation.
• Curcumin and icariin were successfully loaded into PLGA microspheres.
• Particle size, surface morphology, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release, and cell viability were assessed.

Main Results:

• PLGA microspheres exhibited particle sizes ranging from 2-30 μm with smooth, spherical morphology.
• High drug loading and encapsulation rates were achieved.
• In vitro studies confirmed the safety, non-toxicity, and sustained drug release of the microspheres.
• Microspheres did not affect bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) proliferation, indicating good biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• PLGA microspheres effectively encapsulate curcumin and icariin, enhancing their delivery properties.
• The prepared microspheres demonstrate excellent biocompatibility and sustained drug release.
• These findings highlight the significant potential of PLGA microspheres for advanced applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.