<p>This study investigated the release of aloe emodin (AE) from PLGA-coated and uncoated polished and anodized pure titanium (Ti) surface, and evaluated its interaction with osteoblast (OB) and osteosarcoma (MG-63) cells, in vitro. Nanotubular samples were prepared by single-step anodization method. Subsequently, samples with or without AE were either coated or left uncoated with three types of PLGA varying in lactic acid (LA) to glycolic acid (GA) ratios to examine the drug release behavior. Results showed that AE release from PLGA coated polished and nanotube titanium was higher at pH 7.4 compared to pH 5.0. AE release decreased with increasing LA content in PLGA, except for polished titanium at pH 7.4, where coating detachment elevated AE release. The PLGA (65:35) coated sample exhibited sustained and controlled release, particularly from the nanotube sample due to its strong covalent bond formation with AE and PLGA. From cell culture study, controlled and sustained release of AE from both PLGA (65:35) coated and uncoated nanotube samples facilitated OB cell proliferation after 7 days. However, the PLGA coating reduced the cell viability, likely due to slow release of AE. MG-63 cell proliferation was also observed, regardless of the presence of AE and PLGA, indicating that this MG-63 cell viability is influenced not only by AE but also by the nanotubular structure. However, the proliferation rate is not as significant as OB cell proliferation. Overall, the sustained and controlled release of AE from PLGA coated surface modified titanium shows potential to facilitate bone formation.</p>