Design of Polylactic Acid Membranes for Controlled Release of Tramadol

Background: This study aimed to develop polylactic acid (PLA)-based membranes incorporating tramadol (TMD) using air jet spinning (AJS), ensuring stable physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. Methods: Two groups were fabricated: 10% PLA membranes (control) and 10% PLA membranes loaded with TMD in an 80:1 ratio (experimental). Characterization included scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultravioletvisible spectroscopy (UV-VIS), and biocompatibility assays with human osteoblasts using resazurin, crystal violet staining, and 5-chloromethylfluorescein diacetate for fluorescence microscopy. Results: SEM revealed a homogeneous, randomly distributed fiber pattern, with diameters under 5 µm and no structural voids. DSC and TGA indicated that TMD was uniformly incorporated, increased the thermal capacity, and slightly lowered the onset and inflection degradation temperatures. FT-IR confirmed the chemical compatibility of TMD with PLA, showing no structural alterations. UV-VIS detected sustained TMD release over 72 h. Biocompatibility tests showed no cytotoxic effects; cell viability and proliferation in TMD-loaded membranes were comparable to controls. Statistical analysis used ANOVA and Wilcoxon tests. Conclusions: 10% PLA membranes loaded with TMD at an 80:1 ratio exhibited stable physicochemical characteristics and favorable biocompatibility, supporting their potential use in drug delivery systems.