Research Progress in Nerve Regeneration Based on Polylactic Acid

Peripheral nerve injuries, though rarely fatal, can lead to sensory and motor deficits and neuropathic pain, significantly lowering patients' quality of life. Thus, it is crucial to explore potential treatments that can promote the regeneration of injured sciatic nerves. Currently, nerve anastomosis is performed between the two ends for short-gap nerve defects, while long-gap nerve defects require the use of nerve conduits, scaffolds, and nerve grafts. In terms of neural tissue engineering, identifying suitable biomaterials remains a key challenge. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a synthetic, biodegradable polymer with excellent processability, allowing it to be manufactured into various structures. Its mechanical properties, biodegradability, biomineralization capacity, and antibacterial properties make it a promising material for neural tissue engineering applications. In this work, we first introduce the physical and chemical properties, as well as the synthesis routes, of PLA and further elucidate the effect of various additives on its mechanical properties. Finally, we critically evaluate PLA-based strategies-including scaffolds, nerve conduits, drug delivery carriers, films, and microspheres-for promoting peripheral nerve regeneration. Taken together, PLA and its derivatives have a promising future in neural tissue engineering, with application methods and scenarios set to become more diverse.