Fabrication and characterization of three-dimensional nerve conduits containing cobalt oxide/nickel oxide nanoparticles integrated with bergamot oil

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) represent a significant clinical challenge worldwide, leading to severe sensory and motor dysfunction and negatively impacting patients' quality of life. Autologous nerve grafts remain the current gold standard for bridging peripheral nerve gaps; however, their use is limited by donor-site morbidity, such as sensory loss and scarring, as well as technical difficulties and prolonged surgical procedures. To overcome these limitations, tissue-engineered nerve conduits have emerged as promising alternatives. In this study, three-dimensional (3D) nerve conduits were fabricated via co-electrospinning of polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers, with the incorporation of bergamot oil (BEO) and cobalt oxide (CoO) and nickel oxide (Ni2O3) nanoparticles to enhance nerve regeneration. The conduits exhibited cumulative release rates of 0.44 +/- 0.005% for CoO, 0.26 +/- 0.004% for Ni2O3, and 0.017 +/- 0.005% for BEO. Mechanical testing revealed a Young's modulus of 16.81-17.94 MPa, indicating a durable yet flexible structure. Electrical conductivity improved markedly from 5.6 x 10-9 S/cm to 2-2.2 x 10-7 S/cm. Furthermore, in vitro studies with C6 neuroglial cells demonstrated cell viability ranging between 67-155 +/- 4.87%, confirming the biocompatibility of the scaffolds. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the incorporation of BEO into PEG/PCL-based 3D nerve conduits. The resulting scaffolds exhibited favorable mechanical strength, flexibility, electrical conductivity, and cytocompatibility, highlighting their potential as promising candidates for peripheral nerve regeneration.