Repair of Sciatic Nerve Damage Using Poly-L-Lactic Acid Polymer/Carbon Nanotubes /Gelatin Nanofiber with Berberine

Abstract

Introduction: Tissue engineering using scaffold, cells, and growth factor creates the appropriate environment to repair, replace, or regenerate of failure or damaged tissue. Scaffolds play the role of ECM of normal tissue and support cell growth and differentiation. Electrospinning is a fast and efficient method that makes it possible to make nanofiber scaffolds. Phase separation is also a fast and inexpensive method and requires fewer tools.

Methods: In the present study, after obtaining the optimal factors in electrospinning and phase separation process, from gelatin polymer for nanofiber synthesis and from poly-L-lactic acid polymer (PLLA) and multi-wall carbon nanotubes for making porous and nanofiber conduits containing berberine (Beri) was used and evaluated by various tests.

Results: The results of in vitro characterization tests indicated the suitability of channels containing PLA/MWCNTs / nanofiber gelatin with berberine. Functional tests (including SFI, Hot plate test) and histological tests are made of a nerve and muscle (including H&E staining) as well as weighing of gastrocnemius muscle. The defect showed a significant improvement in berberine-receiving rats compared with the negative control group and the berberine-free groups.

Conclusion: synthesis of porous and nanofiber conduits from gelatin and poly-L-lactic acid polymer with electrospinning and phase separation process provide potential use in  peripheral nerve tissue engineering.