International Journal of Chemical Synthesis and Chemical Reactions
Chemical Synthesis and Functional Engineering of Poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid) in Medicine
Professor, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of science and Humanities, Amrita Sai Institute of Science and Technology, Bathinapadu, Andra Pradesh,521180, India
Abstract
Poly (lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is one of the most extensively studied biodegradable polymers in modern medicine due to its excellent biocompatibility, tunable degradation behavior, and regulatory acceptance. Originally introduced in resorbable surgical sutures and implants, PLGA has evolved into a highly versatile platform for controlled and targeted drug delivery systems. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of PLGA’s chemical structure, synthesis methods, physicochemical properties, degradation mechanisms, and established clinical applications. Emphasis is placed on recent advances in PLGA-based micro- and nanosystems for smart drug delivery, including stimuli-responsive carriers, surface-functionalized nanoparticles, and co-delivery platforms for synergistic therapies. Critical formulation parameters influencing drug encapsulation efficiency, release kinetics, and biological performance are discussed. Challenges related to acidic degradation byproducts, burst release, scalability, and regulatory translation are analyzed alongside emerging mitigation strategies. Finally, future perspectives highlight PLGA’s expanding role in personalized medicine, theranostics, vaccine delivery, and neurotherapeutics. This review aims to provide researchers and clinicians with an integrated roadmap for designing next-generation PLGA-based biomedical systems.
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