Advances in spinal cord injury treatment using nanofiber scaffolds: Special emphasis on electrospun nanofibers

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by irreversible motor and sensory deficits because of the limited intrinsic regenerative capacity of the central nervous system. Functional recovery can only be partially facilitated by conventional treatment approaches such as medication, rehabilitation, and surgical decompression. Electrospun nanofiber scaffolds have recently emerged as a viable platform for SCI healing due to their ability to duplicate native extracellular matrix (ECM), promote axonal guidance, and provide localized and sustained drug delivery. This paper extensively discusses current advances in the design, production, and application of electrospun nanofiber scaffolds for the treatment of SCI. The suitability of various electrospinning technologies, including conventional, coaxial, blend, emulsion, and melt electrospinning, for creating scaffolds with tailored architecture, fiber alignment, and drug encapsulation capabilities is studied. In preclinical animal models, scaffolds were discussed for their potential to stimulate axonal regeneration, reduce glial scar formation, and improve functional outcomes. To further increase therapeutic efficacy, nanofiber scaffolds can be used with cell-based therapies. Collectively, the research covered in this review demonstrates that electrospun nanofibers are a flexible and therapeutically relevant approach to treating SCI.