PLA In Vitro and In Vivo Testing
Polylactic acid (PLA) microspheres and dermal fillers, along with numerous functionalized formulations, represent emerging domains of product development innovation. BOC Sciences employs its extensive experimental platform and strict scientific system to deliver tailored in vitro and in vivo testing services that meet safety, efficacy, and mechanism research standards and assist clients with faster product development, registration, and market conversion.
Facing Difficulties in PLA Testing? BOC Sciences Can Help!
Challenges in the relevance and accuracy of cell models
Traditional 2D cell models fail to accurately simulate the complex reactions of skin tissue, affecting the evaluation results of PLA microspheres. BOC Sciences uses 3D skin models and co-culture systems to better simulate skin reactions, improving the accuracy and reliability of in vitro evaluations.
Difficulty in monitoring cellular uptake and sustained release processes
The cellular uptake and sustained release processes of microspheres are complex, and conventional detection methods struggle to efficiently capture them. BOC Sciences utilizes high-precision equipment such as flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, combined with fluorescence labeling techniques, to achieve real-time, accurate monitoring of microsphere uptake and sustained release.
Poor repeatability of in vitro degradation behavior and release curves
The degradation behavior of PLA microspheres is affected by multiple factors, leading to unstable release curves. BOC Sciences optimizes simulated body fluid systems and controls environmental variables to ensure high repeatability and stability in microsphere degradation behavior and release processes.
Issues with the selection of animal models and translational relevance
Selecting the appropriate animal model to assess the effectiveness of PLA microspheres is challenging. BOC Sciences carefully selects suitable animal models (such as mice, rabbits, pigs, etc.) based on experimental requirements to ensure good translational relevance and clinical correlation.
Complexity of local tissue responses and immune reactions
The degradation of PLA microspheres in vivo may trigger immune responses, affecting their biocompatibility. BOC Sciences employs techniques such as ELISA and immunohistochemistry to comprehensively assess the immunological safety of PLA microspheres, ensuring their long-term safety in clinical applications.
Challenges in monitoring pharmacokinetics and in vivo degradation
The degradation and drug release processes of PLA microspheres are complex, making traditional pharmacokinetic evaluation methods inadequate for precise capture. BOC Sciences uses fluorescence and radioactive labeling techniques to accurately trace the release process of microspheres, ensuring comprehensive and precise pharmacokinetic evaluations.
PLA In Vitro Testing Services
Due to their excellent biodegradability and drug-loading capabilities, PLA microspheres are widely used in controlled-release formulations, tissue repair, and other applications. Dermal fillers (such as crosslinked hyaluronic acid gels, PLA particles, etc.) have become important tools in facial filling and skin reshaping in medical aesthetics. Functionalized formulations, including antioxidant, whitening, anti-inflammatory, sunscreen, and cell repair systems, are driving continuous upgrades in high-end skincare and beauty products. BOC Sciences offers a full range of cell experiment services for PLA microspheres, PLA dermal fillers, and PLA functionalized formulations, aiming to reveal the biocompatibility, functional properties, and mechanisms of action of materials from the perspectives of cell behavior, activity regulation, and molecular mechanisms. Regular services include but are not limited to:
Biocompatibility and Cytotoxicity Analysis
- Cell activity and toxicity assessment: Use methods such as MTT, CCK-8, LDH release to evaluate the toxicity of materials on keratinocytes, human dermal fibroblasts, macrophages, B16 melanoma cells, etc.;
- Cell proliferation and adhesion testing: Analyze the impact of materials on cell proliferation rates and adhesion behavior;
- Cell membrane integrity and apoptosis analysis: Use Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, flow cytometry, Caspase activity detection, etc., to study cell death mechanisms.
Inflammatory Response and Immune Regulation Analysis
- Inflammatory factor release: Detect levels of inflammatory factors such as IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β produced after cell exposure to materials;
- Activation and inhibition of immune cells: Study the activation state changes of immune cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, etc., induced by materials;
- LPS-induced anti-inflammatory experiments: Simulate inflammatory environments and verify the regulatory effects of functionalized formulations on inflammatory responses.
Functional Mechanism Studies
- Antioxidant capacity assessment: Use methods like DPPH free radical scavenging, intracellular ROS detection, SOD/CAT/GSH-Px activity analysis;
- Whitening function verification: Analyze the impact of formulations on tyrosinase activity, melanin synthesis, and MITF/TYR expression;
- Anti-UV and DNA repair effects: Establish UVA/UVB-induced cell injury models to detect DNA damage repair capacity;
- Collagen generation and skin repair: Evaluate the promotion of COL1A1, COL3A1 expression and collagen deposition by materials.
Material Behavior and Degradation Analysis
- Cellular uptake and intracellular distribution: Use fluorescence labeling and confocal microscopy to observe the distribution and release path of microspheres after entering cells;
- In vitro degradation behavior: Analyze changes in material size, morphology, and pH value under simulated body fluid conditions, combined with SEM to observe degradation characteristics;
- Permeation and sustained release performance: Simulate material release curves and transdermal absorption characteristics using Transwell experiments, Franz diffusion cells, etc.
PLA In Vivo Testing Services
For different types of materials and formulations, BOC Sciences has developed various animal models to simulate real use scenarios such as human injection, external application, absorption, and degradation. These models comprehensively assess product performance, from local reactions, systemic toxicity, pharmacokinetics, to tissue repair effects.
Biocompatibility and Local Safety Evaluation
- Subcutaneous or intramuscular implantation models: Inject materials into SD rats, New Zealand rabbits, and other models, and observe reactions such as redness, swelling, hardening, exudation, and healing at the injection site;
- Histological analysis: Use HE staining, Masson staining, etc., to evaluate local inflammation, granulation tissue, collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and other indicators;
- Allergic and delayed-type hypersensitivity tests: Evaluate the potential for immune adverse reactions, complying with ISO standards.
Volume Retention and Degradation Behavior Studies
- Filler volume change monitoring: Use ultrasound imaging, MRI, or calipers to measure the volume retention rate at different time points after injection;
- Biodegradation cycle analysis: Combine tissue sectioning and residual quantification to plot the degradation curve of materials in vivo;
- Evaluation of degradation product effects: Analyze whether metabolites such as lactic acid produced during degradation cause local pH changes or toxicity reactions.
Systemic Toxicology and Hematology Testing
- Acute/subchronic toxicity studies: Including weight monitoring, behavioral observation, organ index analysis;
- Blood biochemistry and immune indicators testing: Including ALT, AST, CRE, BUN, WBC, CRP, etc.;
- Pathological analysis of major organs: Conduct pathological section examination on liver, kidney, spleen, lungs, heart, and other tissues to ensure systemic safety.
Functional Efficacy Verification
- Skin remodeling and repair models: Evaluate the tissue repair and functional recovery ability of materials in damage models (such as skin aging, UV damage, wound healing);
- Animal anti-aging evaluation: Detect skin thickness, elasticity, moisture retention, and dermal structure improvement;
- Permeation absorption and pharmacokinetics: For drug-containing or active formulations, conduct LC-MS/MS quantitative analysis to reveal their absorption, distribution, and metabolism processes in vivo.
Advanced Cell and Animal Platforms for In Vitro and In Vivo Testing
BOC Sciences offers advanced cell and animal experimental platforms, providing systematic in vitro and in vivo testing services for PLA microspheres, dermal fillers, and various functional formulations. In terms of cell testing, the platform is equipped with a variety of human and animal-derived cell lines, supporting multidimensional analysis of cell viability, toxicity, proliferation, differentiation, and expression of inflammatory factors. These analyses can be used to assess the safety and functionality of biomaterials. For animal testing, we have established multiple model systems, including mice, rats, rabbits, etc., covering research areas such as subcutaneous injection, biocompatibility, tissue repair, and degradation kinetics. The experimental platform, combined with advanced imaging, biochemical testing, and tissue pathology analysis methods, provides strong data support for preclinical development and regulatory registration of products.
Cell Platforms
Fibroblast Cell Lines Keratinocyte Cell Lines Endothelial Cell Lines Immune Cell Lines Nerve Cell Lines Adipocyte Cell Lines
Animal Platforms
Mouse Models Rat Models Rabbit Models Pig Models Dog Models Monkey Models
Multiple Applications of PLA Microspheres
PLA microspheres, as a degradable, injectable, and biocompatible carrier system, have shown broad and unique applications in medical aesthetics, functional cosmetics, and biomedical formulation development in recent years. With excellent sustained-release properties, they can achieve controlled release of drugs, active factors, and biomolecules. Additionally, the microsphere structure itself can be used as a tissue filler or scaffold material, providing multiple biological effects, such as collagen regeneration, anti-aging, and tissue repair. By rationally adjusting the microsphere's particle size, surface characteristics, and degradation rate, PLA microspheres can be precisely designed for different skin depths and therapeutic needs. BOC Sciences offers integrated services ranging from microsphere design, functional modification, in vitro evaluation to animal testing, helping clients develop high-performance, registrable medical aesthetic products and formulations.
Long-acting Dermal Filler Carrier
PLA microspheres possess excellent mechanical support and controllable degradation characteristics, making them the core structure of injectable fillers. They can achieve deep wrinkle filling and facial contour shaping while stimulating collagen production, thereby prolonging the effect duration of medical aesthetic treatments.
Sustained-release Antioxidant Factor Platform
By encapsulating active ingredients like peptides, antioxidants, growth factors, etc., into PLA microspheres, sustained and slow release can be achieved, significantly extending the action time of anti-aging components in the skin, thus enhancing the functionality and skin repair effects of high-end products like serums and masks.
Skin Whitening Active Ingredient Delivery System
PLA microspheres can stably encapsulate vitamin C derivatives, arbutin, or tyrosinase inhibitors, improving the penetration and stability of active ingredients in the skin. They are suitable for high-end whitening serums, masks, and spot-reducing products, enhancing whitening effects while reducing irritation.
Medical Wound Healing Repair Agents
As a carrier for wound dressings, PLA microspheres can encapsulate antimicrobial peptides, EGF, and other active components, providing sustained release in skin damage or post-surgical environments. They promote cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and tissue repair, accelerating the healing of chronic wounds and post-laser surgical sites.
Stabilized Carrier for Lipophilic Functional Ingredients
PLA microspheres are suitable for encapsulating unstable or water-insoluble active ingredients such as vitamin E and coenzyme Q10, effectively improving their physical stability and skin permeability in aqueous formulations. They are widely used in the innovative development of emulsions, ampoules, and functional serums.
Topical Drug Sustained-release Injectables
PLA microspheres are suitable for encapsulating steroids, NSAIDs, local anesthetics, etc., to construct long-acting sustained-release injection systems. They ensure stable drug release during postoperative care or inflammation management, reducing the frequency of local medication and improving treatment compliance and safety.
Degradable Beauty Scaffold System
Combining PLA microspheres with biological gel matrices, injectable micro-scaffold systems can be constructed to form degradable support structures under the skin, serving mild filling, tissue traction, and collagen induction roles. This provides a safe and natural material support for non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
Post-laser Sedative Repair Agent Carriers
PLA microspheres can effectively encapsulate anti-inflammatory components like madecassoside and azelaic acid, achieving sustained release of post-surgery skin calming factors. This helps alleviate redness, heat sensations, and other discomforts, widely used in post-laser beauty, photorejuvenation, and other recovery dressings or gels.
FAQs
What is polylactic acid made from?
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer material made from renewable natural resources such as corn, sugarcane, and cassava, which are rich in starch or sugars. Through microbial fermentation, the sugars in these raw materials are converted into lactic acid, which is then polymerized to form PLA. The manufacturing process is environmentally friendly, does not rely on petroleum resources, and is an important source for sustainable materials, eco-friendly packaging, and biomedical products.
Is polylactic acid safe?
PLA has excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. It is widely used in medical devices, drug delivery carriers, dermal fillers, sutures, and other products. Its safety has been validated through extensive clinical and experimental studies. The degradation products of PLA are lactic acid, which can be naturally metabolized and absorbed by the human body without causing toxic reactions. Therefore, it is considered a safe, low-irritation biomaterial suitable for fields that demand high biological safety, such as medical aesthetics and tissue engineering.
How does polylactic acid degrade?
PLA degrades through hydrolysis and enzymatic reactions in the body or natural environment. When water enters the PLA structure, it breaks its ester bonds, generating oligomers and lactic acid monomers. These products are then metabolized into carbon dioxide and water. In the human body, the degradation process is influenced by factors such as temperature, pH, and molecular weight, typically completing within weeks to months. PLA's controllable degradation properties make it particularly suitable for drug release and tissue scaffold applications.