Peripheral Nervous System Regeneration via Phenytoin-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles Loaded into Nanofibrous Artificial Neural Guidance Channels

Abstract

In the current study, we used phenytoin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles in order to improve the healing potential of cellulose acetate-based neural guidance channels. Neural channels were produced via electrospinning method and rolling up the electrospun sheets. Drug-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared using ionotropic gelation method. The produced nanoparticles were then loaded into collagen hydrogel and injected into the lumen of neural conduits upon implantation. Various experiments were performed in order to characterize the developed system. The healing activity of neural channels was investigated in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury. Results of in vivo study showed that nanoparticle-loaded conduits had comparable healing activity with autograft group as evidenced by functional recovery assays. Phenytoin-delivering neural channels could significantly improve the tissue expression level of brain derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor genes. The proposed system can be potentially considered as an alternative treatment strategy for nerve grafting in clinic.