Polylactide‐Based Materials for Drug Delivery System: A Review

ABSTRACT Polylactide (PLA) is one of the potential materials in drug delivery systems (DDS). Biodegradability and biocompatibility are the advantages of PLA in DDS and other biomedical applications. Drug loading capacity, controlled drug release, and physical and mechanical properties are some critical requirements of materials for DDS. Additionally, the biological interactions of PLA, including its enzymatic hydrolysis, degradation into lactic acid, and subsequent metabolism through natural pathways, are essential for ensuring safe and efficient drug delivery. PLA‐based materials have the capabilities to be developed into various advanced materials to overcome their limitations in physical and mechanical properties, such as PLA nanocomposites, PLA‐copolymers, and stereocomplex PLA. Meanwhile, the hydrophobic character of PLA‐based materials is a main challenge in drug delivery applications. This review highlights recent advances in PLA‐based materials for DDS, focusing on material development, structure modification, and applications. Moreover, this review addresses the molecular modification and its relationship to tunable properties as potential next‐generation bio‐based polymeric materials for DDS.