The hippocampus, a critical cerebral region involved in learning and memory formation, is especially vulnerable to ischemic defect. Here, we developed an injectable electroactive hydrogel based on pluronic-chitosan/aniline-pentamer with proper conductivity around 10-4 S/cm to achieve the functional repair of the hippocampus following the ischemic defect. FTIR, DSC, and TGA measurements were performed to assess the chemical structure and thermal stability of the synthesized hydrogel. Aniline pentamer decreased the swelling capacity, degradation, and drug release rate. Further, contact angle, melting point, and gelation time of hydrogels were enhanced by addition of aniline oligomer. Moreover, it endowed the on-demand electro-responsive drug release. Injectability of hydrogel was evaluated by rheometry, exhibiting proper gelling time at the body temperature. The ionic/electrical conductivity and desired in vitro biocompatibility with PC12 cells were also achieved. Injection of VEGF-loaded electroactive hydrogel in the hippocampal ischemic animal model resulted in decreased infarction volume, improved hippocampal dependent learning, and memory performance. Taken all together, the results confirmed that fabricated injectable hydrogel would be a suitable candidate for ischemic defect treatment and can lead to new horizons to treat neurological disorders.
Keywords: Aniline oligomer; Chitosan; Hippocampal ischemia; Injectable hydrogel; Pluronic; VEGF.
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