Enhanced neural differentiation by applying electrical stimulation utilizing conductive and antioxidant...

The challenge of restoration from neurodegenerative disorder requires effective solutions. To enhance the healing efficiencies, scaffolds with antioxidant activities, electroconductivity, and versatile features to encourage neuronal differentiation are potentially useful. Herein, polypyrrole-alginate (Alg-PPy) copolymer was used to design antioxidant and electroconductive hydrogels through the chemical oxidation radical polymerization method. The hydrogels have antioxidant effects to combat oxidative stress in nerve damage thanks to the introduction of PPy. Additionally, poly-l-lysine (PLL) provided these hydrogels with a great differentiation ability of stem cells. The morphology, porosity, swelling ratio, antioxidant activity, rheological behavior, and conductive characteristics of these hydrogels were precisely adjusted by altering the amount of PPy. Characterization of hydrogels showed appropriate electrical conductivity and antioxidant activity for neural tissue applications. Cytocompatibility, live/dead assays, and Annexin V/PI staining by flow cytometry using P19 cells confirmed the excellent cytocompatibility and cell protective effect under ROS microenvironment of these hydrogels in both normal and oxidative conditions. The neural marker investigation in the induction of electrical impulses was assessed through RT-PCR and immunofluorescence assay, demonstrating the differentiation of P19 cells to neurons cultured in these scaffolds. In summary, the antioxidant and electroconductive Alg-PPy/PLL hydrogels demonstrated excellent potential as promising scaffolds for treating neurodegenerative disorders.