Table 6.

Hydrogels loaded with specific growth factors and cells in nerve regeneration.

Hydrogel Structure	Hydrogel Physical, Chemical, and Biological Characteristics	Neural Disease/Disorder Targeted	Ref
Poly(D, l-lactic acid) (PDLLA)/β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) nerve conduits filled by injectable chitosan (CS)/hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels with NGF	Sustained NGF release; supports neuronal cell adhesion, spreading, and differentiation	Peripheral nerve injury	[26]
Hydrogel-enriched chitosan conduits with Schwann cells containing glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2)	Biocompatible; supports axonal outgrowth, SC viability, cellular neurotrophic factor delivery system	Peripheral nerve injury	[46]
PHEMA-MMA tubes with collagen gel and growth factors (neurotropin-3, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1))	Supports nerve regeneration; biostable, biocompatible, improved regeneration with growth factors	Peripheral nerve injury	[47]
Chitosan/beta-glycerophosphate-NGF hydrogel	Continuous NGF release, improved nerve recovery, thicker myelin sheaths	Facial nerve injury	[49]
Mesenchymal stem cell-laden fibrin hydrogel microfibers	Mimic nerve tissue, control stem cell behavior, improve motor function, and promote integration with the host tissue	Spinal cord injury	[50]
Injectable thermosensitive CS/beta-GP/HEC hydrogel containing nerve growth factor (NGF)-overexpressing hADSCs	Increased cell proliferation, smaller cavity size, better locomotor functions	Spinal cord injury	[68]
Erythropoietin (EPO)-loaded multifunctional hydrogel with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)	Adhesive, high mechanical strength, sustained release; enhances cell retention, supports nerve regeneration, reduces astrocyte development	Neurogenic erectile dysfunction	[69]
Poloxamer hydrogel with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs)	Promotes axonal regrowth, supports muscle reinnervation; beneficial immunomodulation	Peripheral nerve injury	[70]
Heparin/Poloxamer thermosensitive hydrogel loaded with bFGF and NGF	Provides supportive environment to restore structure, enables sustained release of growth factors, enhances axonal regeneration, supports Schwann cell proliferation	Peripheral nerve injury in diabetic rats	[71]
Decellularized porcine nerve-derived hydrogel (PNM)	Maintains nerve-specific matrix components and growth factors, improves electrophysiologic response and axon counts	Nerve gap injury	[72]
Decellularized nerve matrix hydrogel derived from porcine sciatic nerve with microchannels (A-pDNM-G)	Longitudinally oriented microchannels, promotion of neurite extension and Schwann cell migration, controlled release of neurotrophic factors	Peripheral nerve injury	[73]
Fibrin hydrogel with tacrolimus and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)	Sustained and localized drug release; supports MSC viability, enhances peripheral nerve regeneration	Peripheral nerve injury	[74]
Gelatin hydrogel with olfactory stem cells (OSC)	Biodegradable; aids cell survival during transplantation, promotes axonal regeneration, increases number of regenerated nerve fibers	Facial nerve injury	[75]