Natural and synthetic polymeric scaffolds used in peripheral nerve tissue engineering: Advantages and disadvantages

Abstract

The nervous system is a compound network of nerves, cells and is a vital part of the body. The injuries to this system can occur either via traumatic hurt happening after the accident, disease, tumorous outgrowth, or surgical side results. The regeneration of the nervous system is complex and takes big challenges to researchers. Nerve tissue engineering (NTE) is the most promising approach to repair nerve tissue in human health care. One of the most common solutions widely used for repairing functions in damaged neural tissues utilizes polymeric materials either natural or synthetic in origin. Polymers are able to develop into help structures, such as scaffold, electrospun matrices, and nerve conduit for promoting the regeneration of the damaged neural tissues that many investigations have shown. As usual, synthetic polymers suggest better structural stability and mechanical properties while natural polymers are highly useful for their high biocompatibility and natural biodegradation properties. However, low mechanical characteristics, processing difficulties and, thermal sensitivity that commonly need the use of solvents, limit the efficacy of natural polymers, stimulating researchers to blend them with synthetic or electroconductive polymers. Mostly, the blending of natural and synthetic allows for expanding polymeric conduits that help to mimic the substrate environment of healthy neural tissues. This review represents the most advanced and various recent findings in terms of the forms of natural and Synthetic polymers used in peripheral NTE, advantages, and disadvantages.

Advances in Electrospun Nerve Guidance Conduits for Engineering Neural Regeneration

“…Numerous parameters can affect the production process, including the polymer molecular weight, concentration, viscosity, electrical conductivity, elasticity, polarity, and surface tension in polymer solutions. From a fabrication point of view, the feed flow rate, applied field of voltage, nozzle-to-collector distance, the geometry of round collector, and collector rotation speed have key roles in generating the structure and alignment of the nanofibrous biomaterials [10,21,22]. As such, the diameter and the morphology of electrospun nanofibers are affected by different properties of electrospinning solution, process, and environment [10].…”

Electrospun Polycaprolactone/Chitosan Nanofibers Containing Cordia myxa Fruit Extract as Potential Biocompatible Antibacterial Wound Dressings

“…Under the influence of an electric field, electrospun fibers may be spun to nanoscale sizes [ 15 , 16 ]. Numerous natural and synthetic polymers have been electrospun into fibers, which have tremendous potential for medication delivery for the treatment of burn injuries [ 17 ]. Due to its appropriate mechanical behavior and biocompatibility, polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable, stable, and non-hazardous synthetic polymer has been widely used in electrospun nanofiber membranes [ 18 , 19 ].…”

Feasibility study on intact human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly as a scaffold for human autologous chondrocyte: In-vitro study

“…5 In recent times, there is a growing interest in the usage of biological tissue-based scaffolds which offers several advantages including (i) ideal biophysical properties and biochemical composition (ii) providing a native microenvironment for cells implanted, (iii) the potential to support even proliferation and differentiation, and (iv) natural biodegradation characteristics. 6…”

“…5 In recent times, there is a growing interest in the usage of biological tissue-based scaffolds which offers several advantages including (i) ideal biophysical properties and biochemical composition (ii) providing a native microenvironment for cells implanted, (iii) the potential to support even proliferation and differentiation, and (iv) natural biodegradation characteristics. 6 Umbilical cord tissue (UCT) was generally considered as clinical waste, however, late extensive research in UCT led to the development of various enhanced therapeutic options in regenerative medicine. Stem cells isolated from UCT are being used in cardiac, ophthalmic, orthopedic, and neurological therapies.…”