Title: Structure-property-activity relationship (SPAR) of polylactic acid-based collagen biostimulating fillers: an integrative overview

Authors: A.P. Barbosa; M.R. Dourado

Addresses: Faculty of Pharmacy, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (PUC-Minas), Coração Eucarístico, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30535-901, Brazil; Department of Research & Development, Health & Aesthetics, Antony Barbosa Institute, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30575-210, Brazil ' Galderma Aesthetics Brasil – WT Avenida das Nações Unidas, 14261, Torre A, Ala A, Chácara Santo Antônio – São Paulo/SP, Brazil

Abstract: Biocompatible polymers like polylactic acid (PLA) play a prominent role in biomedical applications due to their ability to stimulate collagen production via foreign body reactions (FBR). PLA is recognised for its synthesis from renewable, non-toxic sources and biodegradation into bioabsorbable lactic acid. This review explores the three main PLA isomers - poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), poly-D-lactic acid (PDLA), and meso poly-D, L-lactic acid (PDLLA) - highlighting their distinct physicochemical properties, such as pH, charge, hydrophilicity, particle size, shape, and surface texture, which are crucial in initiating subclinical inflammation and activating fibroblasts for collagen production. Specifically, PLLA demonstrates superior collagen-stimulating potential with minimal inflammation, while PDLA and PDLLA exhibit variable inflammatory responses and collagen regeneration capacities. By evaluating structure-property-activity relationships (SPAR) among PLA variants, this review provides insights into optimising PLA-based biomaterials for enhanced collagen stimulation, guiding their application in regenerative medicine and aesthetic procedures.

Keywords: SPAR; structure-property-activity relationships; PLA; polylactic acid; poly-l-lactic acid; poli-d,l-lactic acid; collagen stimulation; FBR; foreign body reaction; biocompatible polymers; regenerative medicine; fibroblast activation; biomaterials.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNBM.2025.149151

International Journal of Nano and Biomaterials, 2025 Vol.11 No.2, pp.177 - 197

Received: 06 Apr 2024
Accepted: 23 Mar 2025
Published online: 15 Oct 2025 *

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