Multifunctional biomimetic hydrogel based on graphene nanoparticles and sodium alginate for peripheral nerve injury therapy

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) caused by injury may influence the patients' lifelong mobility unless there is an appropriate treatment. Tissue engineering has become a hot field to replace traditional autologous nerve transplantation due to its low surgical damage and easy-to-industrial advantages. Graphene (GR) is a kind of carbon nanomaterial with good electrical and mechanical properties that satisfy the demand for a good tissue scaffold for nerve regeneration. Herein, a novel and biosafe hydrogel is fabricated by using graphene and sodium alginate (GR-SA) together. This hydrogel not only can mimic the nerve growth microenvironment but also can promote the expression of neurotrophic substances and growth factors. Additionally, GR-SA hydrogel can significantly reduce inflammatory factors. Moreover, the results of both in vitro and in vivo tests demonstrate that GR-SA hydrogel has a promising prospect in PNI regeneration.