Natural Polymer-Derived Bioscaffolds for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

In recent decades, artificial nerve scaffolds have become a promising substitute for peripheral nerve repair. Considerable efforts have been devoted to improving the therapeutic effectiveness of artificial scaffolds. Among numerous biomaterials for tissue engineering scaffolds fabrication, natural polymers are considered as tremendous candidates because of their excellent biocompatibility, low toxicity, high cell affinity, wide source, and environmental protection. With the development of engineering technology, a variety of natural polymer-derived nerve scaffolds have emerged, which are endowed with biological properties and appropriate physicochemical performances to gradually adapt to the needs of nerve regeneration. Significantly, the intergradation of exogenous biomolecules onto the artificial scaffolds is able to avoid low stability, rapid degradation, and redistribution of direct therapeutic drugs in vivo, thereby enhancing nerve regeneration and functional reconstruction. Here, the development of nerve scaffolds derived from natural polymers, and their applications in continuous administration and peripheral nerve regeneration are comprehensively and carefully reviewed, providing an advanced perspective of the field.

Automated summary

In recent years, artificial nerve scaffolds have emerged as a promising alternative for peripheral nerve repair. Natural polymers, with their excellent biocompatibility, low toxicity, high cell affinity, wide source, and environmental protection, are considered ideal biomaterials for tissue engineering scaffolds. The development of natural polymer-derived nerve scaffolds, combined with the integration of exogenous biomolecules, has shown great potential in enhancing nerve regeneration and functional reconstruction.