Incorporating fingolimod through poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) nanoparticles in electrospun polyurethane/polycaprolactone/gelatin scaffold: An in vitro study for nerve tissue engineering

Abstract Fingolimod as a useful drug in nerve regeneration is a promising candidate for promoting axonal regeneration by positively affecting neonatal and adult Schwann cells. Nerve tissue engineering show a novel practical approach by recruiting the scientific methods for creating neural extracellular matrix. In this study, fingolimod was incorporated in polylactic‐co‐glycolic acid and then, an electrospun scaffold composed of polyurethane (PU), polycaprolactone (PCL) and gelatin polymers containing different amount of encapsulated fingolimod (0.01%, 0.02%, and 0.03%) were fabricated. The morphology and microstructure of each scaffold were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The physicochemical properties of scaffolds including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, mechanical properties, water contact angle, and degradation test were evaluated. MTT assay and also SEM were utilized for the investigation of cell viability and adhesion. The results showed that the mean fiber diameter of scaffold was increased from 151 ± 31 to 243 ± 68 nm followed by increase of fingolimod. Young's modulus was showed all scaffold had in the expected range for nerve tissues. Cell viability assessment proved that PU/PCL/Gel/0.01% fingolimod had a higher cell survival among other groups. The results suggest that PU/PCL/gelatin scaffolds loading from 0.01 fingolimod can be a suitable candidate for peripheral nerve regeneration.