Synthesis of an electrospun PHA/RGO/Au scaffold for peripheral nerve regeneration: an in vitro study

In this paper, we represented a one-pot biofabricated method for preparation of a graphene-decorated gold NPs (RGO/Au) scaffold, that is integrated into poly-3 hydroxybutyrate-co-12 mol.% (P3HB-co-12 mol.%) hydroxyhexanoate (HHx) fibers. The images of FESEM microscope displayed a permeable mat-shaped matrix assembly with a fibrous nature indicating the formation of a fibrous PHA/RGO/Au hybrid. The results of elemental mapping for PHA/RGO/Au hybrids have confirmed that the AuNPs were reliably present inside the hybrid matrix along with the elements ‘C’ and ‘O’. Additionally, we also analyzed the probability of combining the graphene’s conductive properties with electrospun nanofiber to produce electroactive biomimetic scaffold for the regeneration of nerve tissue. We also performed an in vitro study, which represented the conducting nanofibrous scaffold that prominently endorsed Schwann cell (SC) proliferation as well as migration. From these results, it is evident that the graphene-modified nanofibrous scaffold displays potential in repairing the peripheral nerve along with its regeneration.