Biodegradable Polylactide Scaffolds with Pharmacological Activity by Means of Ultrasound Micromolding Technology

Abstract

Ultrasound micromolding technology has been applied to get microporous polylactide scaffolds from the subsequent leaching of incorporated NaCl salts. A small amount of water-soluble polyethylene glycol (PEG) was required in order to improve the leaching process and get compact pieces with interconnected pores. Distribution of polymers in the processed specimens was quite homogeneous due to the small PEG content, although it was more concentrated in the regions close to the feeding channels due to its higher viscosity. Hydrophobic drugs like triclosan could be incorporated causing a minimum degradation during ultrasound processing and suffering an insignificant solubilization during the leaching step. Final scaffolds showed clear bactericide or bacteriostatic effects before and after 10 h of exposure. Cell proliferation of MDCK epithelial cells was higher for TCS loaded porous scaffolds (200%) than for unloaded samples (170%) and non-porous polylactide (PLA) specimens (100%, control). Micrographs showed the absence of non-inhibition areas in both the specimens and the container, confirming the biocompatibility of PLA specimens.

Keywords

• ultrasound micromolding
• micropieces
• polylactide
• porous scaffolds
• salt leaching
• polyethylene glycol