Intervertebral Disk Regeneration in a Rat Model via a Nanocomposite Collagen Hydrogel Loaded with Galanthus Extract: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study

Abstract

In the current study, Galanthus extract was loaded into electrospun gelatin scaffolds using an electrospun method and then crushed. The resulting nanofibers were loaded into a collagen hydrogel to develop a filler material to treat nucleus pulposus injuries in the intervertebral disks. The nanocomposite hydrogel was studied regarding its biocompatibility, antiinflammatory activity, and swelling behavior. In Vivo study was performed in a rat model of intervertebral disk injury. Histopathological studies showed that the animals treated with the nanocomposite hydrogel restored its nucleus pulposus to a significantly higher extent than other experimental groups.