In this study the chitosan/collagen/icariin composite scaffolds for nerve regeneration were produced by blending and crosslinking chitosan with collagen and icariin. The microstructure of the composite scaffolds was observed by scanning electron microscopy. 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and attachment assays were conducted, respectively, to investigate the biocompatibility of the scaffolds. Cell cultural tests showed that the channel-structured porous scaffolds acted as a positive factor to support connective nerve cell growth. After culture, cells showed a clear flow trend to move close to the composite scaffolds in culture solution, arranging in spiral-like, and aligned parallel to the orientation of the channel structure on the surface of scaffolds. When compared to pure chitosan and chitosan/collagen scaffolds, Schwann cells and PC12 cells on the chitosan/collagen/icariin composite scaffolds exhibited the greatest proliferation and longest average neurite length. These results suggested that the chitosan/collagen/icariin composite scaffolds are potential cell carriers in nerve tissue engineering.

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The spherical nano-sized bioactive particles in the system of CaO-P2O5-SiO2 were bio-mimetically synthesized using micro-emulsion method. The microstructures and properties of the bio- mimetic nano-materials were characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM/EDAX and TEM techniques. It was indicated that the nano-particles possessed glassy structural characteristics. The porous composite for bone tissue reconstruction was prepared by compounding poly (hydroxybutyrate-2-co-2-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and the nano-particles of bio-mimetic bioactive glasses (BMBG). Bone-like hydroxyl- carbonate-apatite (HCA) could formed on the surface of porous composite by immersing the composite in simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37°C for 8 hours. With increase of immersion time, the morphology of HCA changed from spherical into flake-like crystals. The study on cells attachment of the porous PHBV/BMBG composite proved that the material possessed satisfactory bioactivity, bio-mineralization function and cells biocompatibility.

The PCL plates hydrolyzed by NaOH aqueous solutions and carboxylate groups were introduced onto the surfaces of specimen. Specimens were treated by CaCl2 and K2HPO4⋅3H2O under the normal-pressure condition and low-pressure of 103 Pa condition for 30min separately. Dense and uniform bone-like layers could be formed on the surface of specimens after mineralizing for less than 24h in simulated body fluids (SBF). The low-pressure condition could accelerate the formation of apatite layer.